Media Notes

Obama Wants Journalist Gupta for Surgeon General

In a scene from CNN's "Planet in Peril," Dr. Sanjay Gupta stands in a body of water in Africa.

By Howard Kurtz
President-elect Barack Obama has offered the job of surgeon general to Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the neurosurgeon and correspondent for CNN and CBS, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation.

Gupta has told administration officials that he wants the job, and the final vetting process is under way. He has asked for a few days to figure out the financial and logistical details of moving his family from Atlanta to Washington but is expected to accept the offer.

When reached for comment today, Gupta did not deny the account but declined to comment.

The offer followed a two-hour Chicago meeting in November with Obama, who said that Gupta could be the highest-profile surgeon general in history and would have an expanded role in providing health policy advice, the sources said. Gupta later spoke with Tom Daschle, Obama's White House health czar and nominee for Health and Human Services secretary, and other advisers to the president-elect.

The Michigan-born son of parents who were born in India, Gupta has always been drawn to health policy. He was a White House fellow in the late 1990s, writing speeches and crafting policy for Hillary Clinton. His appointment would give the administration a prominent official of South Asian descent and a skilled television spokesman.

Gupta, who hosts "House Call" on CNN, has discussed the job offer with his bosses at CBS and CNN to make sure he could be released from his contractual obligations, the sources said.

His role as journalist and physician have sometimes overlapped. During the 2003 Iraq invasion, Gupta was embedded with a Navy unit called Devil Docs and, while covering its mission, performed brain surgery five times, the first of which was on a 2-year-old Iraqi boy.

Gupta's only hesitation in taking the post is said to involve the financial impact on his pregnant wife and two children if he gives up his lucrative medical and journalistic careers. But he is expected to accept the position within days.

Comments

As a family physician, and remembering the debacle following Hillary Clinton's attempts at reforming health care, I have two major reservations about Dr. Gupta. The first is that his training was all done in Michigan. Medicine is rarely a one-size-fits-all field, and getting training in different areas of the country will acquaint you with a wider variety of philosophies and approaches.

The second, and greater, is that he is a neurosurgeon and this is about public health. The issues that are vital need a broad perspective. One of the biggest problems of the American medical system is that it is designed to promote procedures--that is because at the time that Medicare and Medicaid were set up, the AMA was run by surgeons. So in that bully pulpit, I'd like to see someone who has a holistic background and a primary care approach. There are many excellent family physicians who have administrative experience and media presence.

This nomination raises my fear that any healthcare reform will continue to preserve the bias toward procedures in payment (we get more of what we reward...) and continue to minimize the role of a good family physician--while even the military has realized that placing the family physician at the head of a medical team is the most cost effective form of medicine.

Posted by: MTMountainWoman | January 12, 2009 8:28 PM

I think President-Elect Obama has made an excellent and great choice of Dr. Sanjay Gupta as Surgeon General! I sincerely hope Dr Gupta accepts the position of Surgeon General. Although he will be making a considerable amount of sacrifice in financial renumeration but he will be a great contributor to the society and mankind of United States as well as to the world. He is a brilliant American Neurosurgeon and a person who clearly thinks on his feet before he speaks or offers any medical opinion. He obviously takes the time to clearly understand medical issues before making any statements or judgments.

As a Canadian, I was educated in California, United States during the 60's and I am well versed with the American Politics deeply involved even now and give Elect-President Obama thumbs up for a great choice for Surgeon General. I am sure Dr. Sanjay Gupta will live up to his great reputation.

Posted by: euphoria500 | January 11, 2009 4:58 PM

Sanjay Gupta is an excellent physician, surgeon, and teacher. What more could we desire of a surgeon general?

I find the comments people are posting really disheartening, as they complete forget to mention that he's an assistance professor of Neurosurgery at Emory University's School of Medicine- one of the nation's best medical schools for research and primary care.

Yes, he's high profile and the content he reports is intended for the general public- but he's also a highly qualified individual.

Posted by: sepbrown | January 7, 2009 12:26 PM

So many pro and con comments re Sanjay Gupta! It's easy to tell who watches intelligent programs on TV and who doesn't. Also, I'm glad someone brought up how inexperienced Bush was when he ran Ann Richards out of the Governor's office in Texas so he could have that on his resume for his experience to be able to run for President. All I can say is, after 8 years of what will be behind us, let's give Obama a chance to show us what he wants to do for our country. He hasn't even been inaugurated yet and everyone is picking apart everything he is doing. Bush got picked on for some serious "stuff" and it was well deserved. He will be our president soon, so support him like we were told to support Bush for 2 terms. All pray for soon-to-be President Obama, his staff and our country.

Posted by: elephantwalk | January 7, 2009 11:42 AM

"The Surgeon General of the United States is ... the leading spokesperson on matters of public health in the federal government." [Wikipedia]

Now, without peeking, name a Surgeon General under the last three presidents.

I rest my case.

And let's try to keep the blatant bigotry to a minimum. It's unbecoming.

Posted by: WildWilly1111 | January 7, 2009 10:28 AM

Hahaha, really getting tired of these 1st Generation Indians stealing our American jobs, but of course Obama is a 1st Generation Kenyan, so what do you expect.

Not to mention; FTA: Gupta later spoke with Tom Daschle, Obama's White House health czar and nominee for Health and Human Services secretary...

So that's where Daschle landed, he got run out of his own State for Voter Fraud, but it looks like Democrats take care of their own and just makeup jobs for them to keep em on the DNC Payroll, you know, kindof like Burger, McAulliefe, Ponsetta, Burris..

Good Luck Democrats, I'll give ya till 2010 before you implode.
,

Posted by: pick1side | January 7, 2009 9:58 AM

hey bevjims, who wrote "As for the moronic republicans here, after Brownie, Paulson, Cox, Julie Meyers, Palin and the many others known to be unqualified when appointed, and then proved it by ruining the FEMA reponse to Katina, the bailout, monitoring Wall Street, imploding ICE, thinking Africa was a country, and many other examples, you have no room to discuss appointees." First of all, can we discuss Dr Jocylyn Elders - that boob was the gift that just kept on giving! The reason republicans can - and should - weigh in on Obama decisions is that his ascendancy came about through a massive Disinformation Campaign by his team, the media and his willfully ignorant sycophant followers. DISINFORMATION: failed Katrina response lies at feet of DEMOCRATIC governing bodies of La - provided with $millions$ and Engrg plans/recos to fix or augment levees but redirected funds to pork causes, DEMOCRATS who failed to implement (or follow! William Jefferson, Dem of La) proper evacuation rules. Funnily, the Republican team next door under Trent Lott evacuated properly, made out much better! The Bailout : Hello? Do you KNOW who's been running Congress (and our financial mess) for the last 2 years!? DEMOCRATS are responsible for the failure of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac (look it up on youtube; they are all on tape during the Republican hearings into their mess in 2004, defending their corruption), DEMS are responsible for the legislation that drove the mortgage industry into the dirt - by demanding that banks make subprime loans to poor targets. DEMS refused regulation pushed by Pres Bush and John McCain of Wall St oversight; DEMS insisted WallSt knew what they were doing, as they padded their pockets with quidproquo contributions. And - as if you didn't know already, Sarah Palin NEVER said Africa was a country=> just another myth propagated by the UsefulIdiots on the left to try to dismiss her (like the rape kit lie, the Trigg maternity lie, the "I can see Russia from my house" lie...etc) SO, THIS IS WHY Republicans must weigh in. You have no respect for the truth, no intellectual integrity to discover the truth and - even when you know the truth, you continue to push the lies. The "right wing conspiracy" consists of outing your lies, pal.

Posted by: gaelgirl | January 7, 2009 9:55 AM

I sincerely hope that Sanjay Gupta will not be chosen. While I admire his brilliance as a health issue educator in explaining medical illnesses and procedures, I find him clueless on the field of health policy.
He assailed Michael Moore as "fudging the facts" for his very accurate description of problems of the US health system, greed of the private insurers and the superb performance of the single payer and government regulated ("socialized") health systems being available in other countries. Sanjay Gupta has been the voice for pharmaceutical companies while at CNN, a representative of what is good from a doctor's perspective, always ready to be in the limelight when the cameras are running (heroic surgery in IRAQ etc.). What we need is not a smart and nice opportunist who will go along with whatever pays his own bills but a visionary who will make a real effort to understand the problems and break new ground.(In the case of Universal Health Care, his comments on Michael Moore's film on CNN proved both his arrogance and ignorance). We need someone who is ready to take on pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies and their crony friends and payees in senate and congress. That someone is no Sanjay Gupta.
Walter Rohloff, MD
Albuquerque, NM

Posted by: wrohloff | January 7, 2009 9:31 AM

Obama is a brilliant man and a brilliant choice of the American people. Gupta is a brilliant choice of Obama.
To me, health is our most precious possession. Sometimes people who were fortunate to be born with perfect health don't appreciate this - they take it for granted and laugh at people who tel them how to maintain their health - until it is too late. I am glad that this administration truly will care about the health of the US.
Once Gupta is working for the US government he will owe nothing to network sponsors, if he ever did. I wouldn't worry about it. He's not going to be usig his position to promote one particular drug or another.

Posted by: amwisner | January 7, 2009 9:01 AM

Obama continues to amaze me with the people he is selecting. This guy just doesn't have a clue. Obama, why haven't you picked Oprah to be on your staff? Where are all of your liberal MSM buddies and Hollyweird cohorts? Don't they get a position in your administration?
Obama has not even been sworn in and he is already pissing off the wrong pweople and I love it! I can't wait for him to take office and fail miserably.

Posted by: rpsboyz | January 7, 2009 8:15 AM

I'll admit I don't watch much TV, but when you elevate someone, who although qualified, has his "fame" tied to any network, it is cause for concern. This is precisely why we have people voting for politicians whom they can't identify by position or merit. And then when you try to disagree either the "race" or "intellect" card is pulled. That's no climate for progress. I don't believe for a minute either party has a lock on intellectual prowess.

Posted by: Jenny65 | January 7, 2009 8:08 AM

Just to be clear - "the wounded" in the previous post refers to wounded soldiers in Iraq during war time. Men who, according to the story, would have likely died of their injuries. What more could one want from a surgeon general - a neurosurgeon at that.

I vote republican and will tell you Gupta is a great pick. He's bright, seemingly genuine and gracious, and tore Michael Moore a new one for his movie S.I.C.K.O.
Also, Gupta has been positive in his support for American troops and military medicine. He also shined a much needed light on some poor facilities for returning vets. I'm still not too thrilled about Obama. We'll see what he does or doesn't do. But Gupta is one where I think Obama did a good thing.

Posted by: Jasper-Ballbaggins | January 7, 2009 7:53 AM

"While I think Dr. Gupta is an excellent choice, I will certainly miss him on CNN."

Your watch CNN? [snicker]

Posted by: Tronist | January 7, 2009 7:38 AM

"While I think Dr. Gupta is an excellent choice, I will certainly miss him on CNN."

Your watch CNN? [snicker]

Posted by: Tronist | January 7, 2009 7:37 AM

What's the surprise? The rest of them have been on the payroll for the last two years. So much for a free press.

Posted by: GoomyGommy | January 7, 2009 7:34 AM

A little concerned about his CNN sponsor ties, but what's most interesting is that if you don't agree with an Obama pick, you are a moron or worse according to folks posting here. It would appear that absolutely no dissent is allowed anymore. You either go along with all choices, comments, decisions, or you're an idiot. Voicing an opinion contrary to Obama is no longer allowed. And to his followers, it makes you a target of namecalling and insults. Remember, no dissent allowed.

Posted by: nickelflipper | January 7, 2009 6:46 AM

Global Warming,Global Warming,Global Warming,Global Warming,Global Warming,Global Warming,Global Warming,Global Warming,Global Warming,Global Warming,Global Warming,Global Warming,Global Warming, etc. You think he might be a believer??? He sure has a lot of water around him in the picture.

When we are in our specially designed Speedos to go out for the July the 4th 10 K trot. See how far we get in 40 below.

Look, let's face it. Anyone, especially a "Docter-docter and not a dentist docter" has to work for anyone like CNN, he can't be very truthful or good docter. CNN seems to have become the NewsWeek of the non-print media this past 8 years or so. Oh well, What Obama wants........ Good Luck. Remember Mr. Clinton's first one.

Posted by: jackolantyrn356 | January 7, 2009 12:37 AM

atong61 wrote "My point (and I will write this s-l-o-w-l-y, because you seemed to read my first posting too quickly) is the Surgeon General is a political appointee. Dr. Gupta is no doubt a very skilled neurosurgeon, but as SG he will toe the line of the person appointing him. Whether his tenure will be guided by sound medicine and science or political calculations remains to be seen."

You only need to look at the record of Dr. Koop, Reagan's surgeon general, who defied Reagan on abortion's effect on a woman's health (none), on nicotine's addictive nature (in line with cocaine and heroin), and other requested medical reports that were at odds with the Reagan administration policy and the republican platform. He was attacked by republicans but he held his ground and was vindicated as truth prevailed over republican political lies.

Any political appointee will feel political pressure, but the SG is not required to violate his oath to do the bidding of the president. The president can ask him to, for example, write a paper on the health effects of staying up late blogging, but the paper should contain honest and truthful science. What you seem to be claiming is that Gupta will write whatever the president tells him to write. That is how right-wing republicans work, not real Americans.

Posted by: bevjims1 | January 6, 2009 11:28 PM

Yes, johnpaulbuchuk, anyone who disagrees with anything in this new administration is a bigot and moron. Time to refill your Kool Aid you lemming!

Posted by: Jenny65 | January 6, 2009 11:22 PM

I hope Dr Gupta will recommend his fellow Indian-American MD, Dr Atul Gawande, for a place of some kind in the new administration, at least in an advisory capacity. This man has the most innovative and practical ideas for improving health care and cutting the costs, too. Google him and read some of the articles he has written, or get one of his books at your library.

Posted by: carolanne2 | January 6, 2009 11:06 PM

@ atong61

Typing s-l-o-w-l-y ?! ...get a grip! Do you even know what a SG does?!

Posted by: johnpaulbuchuk | January 6, 2009 11:05 PM

Quoting johnpaulbuchuk:

"Ok physician... what is your point?

Maybe because you cannot do well or were (sic) bottom of your class you remained a physician and (sic) really sore about it."

I stand in awe of your dizzying intellect, as well as your obvious qualifications to judge those who disagree with you as "bigot morons". My point (and I will write this s-l-o-w-l-y, because you seemed to read my first posting too quickly) is the Surgeon General is a political appointee. Dr. Gupta is no doubt a very skilled neurosurgeon, but as SG he will toe the line of the person appointing him. Whether his tenure will be guided by sound medicine and science or political calculations remains to be seen.

Posted by: atong61 | January 6, 2009 11:01 PM

While I think Dr. Gupta is an excellent choice, I will certainly miss him on CNN.

Posted by: JOHNWKLINE | January 6, 2009 10:49 PM

by the way, orons, veterinarian means a doctor treating animals. We had a Surgeon General who was a veterinarian by profession not so long ago...

______

Calling all morons...

None of the previous 15 Surgeon Generals are as qualified as Dr. Gupta. Most of them barely had MDs, including a veterinarian, let alone a super specialty like Neurosurgery.

Now anyone who questions Dr. Gupta's qualifications can be definitely branded as a bigot moron!

Posted by: johnpaulbuchuk | January 6, 2009 10:29 PM

Great choice! I hope Dr Gupta really does become SG. He is a brilliant neurosurgeon and a person who clearly thinks before he speaks or offers an opinion. He obviously takes the time to understand medical issues before making judgments. Well done, President-Elect!

You mean the drunk Jack Shephard who gets bullied by Locke, Sayid, and even Hurley? The man who made many mistakes, like determining the button did not need to be pushed? And never, never asked Ben a proper question like what the hell is the island about?!?

No, the last person I want telling me what is best for me is Jack Shephard. I'll stick with Ben and the Others. They are after all the one's who know what is really going on.

Posted by: bevjims1 | January 6, 2009 10:26 PM

Dr. Gupta sounds like a good idea.

Posted by: David1949 | January 6, 2009 10:23 PM

I am a person of Indian origin and very proud of Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Dr.Gupta is highly qualified for this job.I will request people to be rational in their criticism.

Posted by: smart_sha | January 6, 2009 10:22 PM

Calling all morons...

None of the previous 15 Surgeon Generals are as qualified as Dr. Gupta. Most of them barely had MDs, including a veterinarian, let alone a super specialty like Neurosurgery.

Now anyone who questions Dr. Gupta's qualifications can be definitely branded as a bigot moron!

Yea, I also have issues with Gupta's coziness with the medical sponsors he's had on CNN. Can he be a Surgeon General of the people or of the drug companies. I'd like to see where he shows he has no conflicts. He needs to be properly vetted.

As for the moronic republicans here, after Brownie, Paulson, Cox, Julie Meyers, Palin and the many others known to be unqualified when appointed, and then proved it by ruining the FEMA reponse to Katina, the bailout, monitoring Wall Street, imploding ICE, thinking Africa was a country, and many other examples, you have no room to discuss appointees.

Don't forget, Obama means the grown ups are now in charge. Why are you republicans here anyway? Shouldn't you be in bed by now?

Posted by: bevjims1 | January 6, 2009 10:17 PM

Come on guys, you're missing the best part of this. Any time there's a problem in the department he can say, "Now listen, this is not brain surgery..." and mean it.

Posted by: LiberalWashington | January 6, 2009 10:16 PM

@ MAndersonNYC

Did you bother to ask those questions when the previous administrations nominated SGs? Bigot Moron!

Posted by: johnpaulbuchuk | January 6, 2009 10:15 PM

I am troubled that Gupta seems to have bought into the government drug war being waged against its own citizens. While he admits that cannabis has very powerful medical benefits, he still seems to believe it is OK for the government to try to control what we put into our own bodies, even if we are harming none.

Regulation wouldn't be so bad if the penalty for use was not jail, or confiscation of property money or children. Aren't any conservatives troubled by this overarching government control over private lives?

Are you upset if someone wants to take away your guns, or makes you go outside to smoke your cigarettes? What if you want to use a particular herb to help with pain or nausea? Should you be arrested? Lose your job, your reputation, your children?

Posted by: brinnananda | January 6, 2009 10:14 PM

Is it possible that President-elect Obama chose Dr. Gupta because 2 of the top 10 leading causes of death in the US are stroke (#3) and Alzheimer’s (#7)? Or, is it that President-elect Obama believes a physician invited into our homes through the click of a button can be more effective and far-reaching than a physician who the public has NEVER hear of before. As been written, I trust that Dr. Gupta is a qualified neurosurgeon. If specialization was a consideration, I would have preferred an cardiologist (heart disease, #1) or an oncologist (cancer, #2). If it's familiarity is the issue, Dr. Jack Shephard (Matthew Fox) of "Lost" is my choice!

Posted by: MAndersonNYC | January 6, 2009 10:12 PM

This is a very good choice for the Surgeon General. A well trained well qualified journalist Physician is ideal for the job. His book Chasing Life is a very good book for those who wants a healthy life . As a practing Physician in St Louis for over 39 plus years I must say Dr Gupta is a different kind of Surgeon General-A practing one- If he accepts the job I hope CNN will take him back after his term is over. He has much to offer. Congratulations Dr Sanjay

Tell me, how did that abstinence-only education work out for Bristol Palin?
________________________________

It would have worked perfectly, if she had used it.

Posted by: tpgp | January 6, 2009 9:45 PM

Johnpaul, there's only one thing to say to anyone that rips Obama appointees...you're doing a heckuva job Brownie...

Posted by: Fuzzy21 | January 6, 2009 9:30 PM

He's very qualified to be Surgeon General. Besides the plain, "We don't like him" reason Obama-haters have, this man has no gaping holes in his resume...
1) Extrememly talented neurosurgeon
........
4) Executive experience in helping to run the neurosurgery wing of a major metroplitan US hospital.

So again, why do right-wingers hate him, besides that he's Obama's pick and works on CNN?

Posted by: Fuzzy21 | January 6, 2009 9:13 PM | Report abuse

Nicely put Fuzzy21! Maybe the right-wingers hate him for all the reasons he should be.... They placed morons in top posts and they now don't want to look bad.

They have liars and bigots and above all morons (who we should consider dangerous than liars and bigots) for top posts. FEMA. CIA. Attorney General..... and so on

Posted by: johnpaulbuchuk | January 6, 2009 9:24 PM

Sanjay has been a friend and associate of mine for the past 2 years and has always put medicine first. I wouldn't think twice to have him operate on me, watch my kids or to be my Surgeon General. He is a salt of the earth guy who anyone could walk up to on the street, start a conversation (they always do) and who can boil down the most complicated health care issues into terms that we can all understand. And I have not once ever seen him voice a political stance ahead of a medical one.

I did not vote for the incoming administration and am as skeptical of our political system as most. But I have to add that this is one appointment that all should give a thumbs up to. Sanjay will do his best to push best practice medical and health care issues into our government and look to improve the quality of all of our lives.

Posted by: dennis47 | January 6, 2009 9:23 PM

Because they're right-wingers. It's part of their personality disorder.

Posted by: jprice2 | January 6, 2009 9:22 PM

@ atong61

Ok physician... what is your point?

Maybe because you cannot do well or were bottom of your class you remained a physician and really sore about it.

Posted by: johnpaulbuchuk | January 6, 2009 9:20 PM

He's very qualified to be Surgeon General. Besides the plain, "We don't like him" reason Obama-haters have, this man has no gaping holes in his resume...
1) Extrememly talented neurosurgeon
2) Worked on helping develop health care policy in the Clinton White House
3) Talented and passionate in conveying medical information to the public
4) Executive experience in helping to run the neurosurgery wing of a major metroplitan US hospital.

So again, why do right-wingers hate him, besides that he's Obama's pick and works on CNN?

Posted by: Fuzzy21 | January 6, 2009 9:13 PM

As a practicing physician, I have no doubt Dr. Gupta is "professionally qualified" for this position. However, let's face facts - this is a political job and he is a political appointee, and his impressive medical credentials are secondary to his public persona. His on-air run-in with Michael Moore notwithstanding, his previous involvement in politics was "writing speeches and crafting policy for Hillary Clinton", therefore he fits right into the meddling leftist/"universal healthcare"/Clinton retread Obama Adminstration. Soon we will hear about not only of the dangers of trans fats and sugary beverages, but also our urgent national need to brush and floss regularly and refrain from buying metallic balloons, courtesy of the bully pulpit of the Surgeon General.

Posted by: atong61 | January 6, 2009 9:13 PM

@ buzzsaw1

Ok... what makes you think that Dr. Gupta is not "really" contributing?!

Posted by: johnpaulbuchuk | January 6, 2009 9:08 PM

Lol! Well how about Dr. Ruth?

--------------------------------------
"When I heard it was a TV doc, I was hoping for Dr. Phil. But Dr. Gupta is better than I expected from Obama--I was expecting a doctor from a show like Grey's Anatomy."

Posted by: JohnInTX

Posted by: gonhkn | January 6, 2009 9:08 PM

"I would say that Dr Gupta has already had a greater positive impact on the health awareness of Americans than many of the past Surgeon Generals."

So maybe he should stay where he is?
======

That wouldn't be very meritocratic now would it?

Posted by: mason08 | January 6, 2009 9:05 PM

@ AD11

Hey moron, if you cannot distinguish between a TV character and a real life profession.... God help you.

Moron!

Posted by: johnpaulbuchuk | January 6, 2009 9:01 PM

Some of you guys need to get a brain and use it think with.

Just because you post something in disagreement with an Obama decision does not mean that it automatically comes from a Repulican/conservative.

Lots of us Democrats who know something about people out there "really" making major contributions to medicine will be unhappy with this particular choice.

Posted by: buzzsaw1 | January 6, 2009 9:00 PM

I am an internist who will be starting a Gastroenterology fellowship. So I can say without equivocation that Gupta is a prodigiously brilliant guy. Lets say most medical students represent the top 5% of the best college applicants, only the smartest of the smart get selected for Neurosurgery after medical school. One's scores has to be ridiculously high to get a Neurosurgery slot.

.....

Posted by: jabreal00 | January 6, 2009 6:47 PM | Report abuse

Enough said ... he is much smarter than many high placed staff in the current administration.

Morons in America please do a favor and rollover and d..!

Morons all over the place God! Could you not spend one extra day before resting to make sure that we don't have morons in this beautiful world that you created?

Posted by: johnpaulbuchuk | January 6, 2009 8:59 PM

When we have all the outstanding contributers to Medicine that we have in this country making a choice like this is a slap in the face of the public.

Posted by: buzzsaw1 | January 6, 2009 8:53 PM

Well, at least the Obama Health Team will be able to get free lobotomies. That ought to offset the one trillion scam that Barry is foisting onto the American people. I do hope Dr. Gupta will be able to live with his greatly reduced salary; so many Americans will not have a choice.

Posted by: vltg | January 6, 2009 8:49 PM

I thought Keffer Sutherland was going to get the CIA position. Anyhow Sanjay Gupta is just a mouth-piece for corporate run healthcare, a nemesis of the goals of Michael Moore's Sicko movie.

Posted by: AD11 | January 6, 2009 8:48 PM

The morons who are spouting off against this appointment have evidently only listened to O'Really and Limbaugh. Gupta is a board certified neurosurgeon. On a trip to Iraq, he volunteered his considerable skills in a surgical unit. He will bring heightened awareness of health oriented issues to the national scene. Get over it. And... try to get into the real world, morons.

Posted by: DonA1 | January 6, 2009 8:47 PM

Unfortunately, the position of SG is more of a politician then an MD. It is like someone in the military becoming a General Officer. Once one gets that star, they become more of a politician than a sailor, marine, airman, or soldier.

I really like Dr. Gupta as a CNN correspondent but I think someone with much more administrative experience is needed.

Posted by: BernieWolfeFan | January 6, 2009 8:42 PM

Those who think Dr. Gupta is an excellent choice must not be aware of all the dedicated research oriented MD's and PhD's who not only are dedicated but are more than qualified to serve as Surgeon General because of their life's work and experience. When did Pop Culture take over the life or our society? I guess I was napping. (I think I'll go back.)

Posted by: mammashelper | January 6, 2009 8:31 PM

"I would say that Dr Gupta has already had a greater positive impact on the health awareness of Americans than many of the past Surgeon Generals."

So maybe he should stay where he is?

Posted by: WylieD | January 6, 2009 8:28 PM

Panetta, Gupta...What position will Oprah get in the Obama administration? Who will be the next pick to come out of this clown car - Woody Harrelson? Boy George? How about Michael Jackson to complete the Obama freak show?

Posted by: get_it_right | January 6, 2009 8:20 PM

So what makes Dr. Gupta and "excellent" choice? All we've seen or heard about him is as a TV personality. Is this another nod to the celebrity culture that has risen up around Barack Obama? Perhaps Dr. Gupta is a good choice. However, basing it on his appearance on TV is not what I would consider a major qualification to be US Surgeon General.

Posted by: savvyj2 | January 6, 2009 8:08 PM

This is the "Avian Flu" pandemic Gupta. This is "there won't be enough serum for all the seniors" Gupta. Now, certainly CNN and AOL Time Warner MAKE puppets like Wolfy and Gupta read their corporate lines but remember when they all chimed in AGAIN to keep 300 million American in line and duly terrified of every breathing moment. I'm a Democrat and I don't care for him. Leon Panetta will be great but Gupta was BIG on the pandemic and it was screaming fire in a theater!

Posted by: rhyer | January 6, 2009 8:08 PM

One of these daze, Texas is going to elect adults again, but probably not in my lifetime, as we are currently haunted by Bush, Sr. in Houston and Bush, Jr. in Dallas.
Then there will be 2 lousy 7-11s masquerading as "presidential libraries."
Sigh.

When I heard it was a TV doc, I was hoping for Dr. Phil. But Dr. Gupta is better than I expected from Obama--I was expecting a doctor from a show like Grey's Anatomy.

Posted by: JohnInTX | January 6, 2009 8:01 PM

relax people- gupta's jump-hook in the low post make him a perfect obama pick.

Posted by: jacade | January 6, 2009 7:58 PM

"Obama has no administration experience and he was elected president!" == "George W. Bush was governor of Texas for six years. Administrative experience is not a guarantee of a successful presidency. In Bush's case, it's not even evidence of brain activity."
Posted by: SilverSpring8 | January 6, 2009 4:40 PM
==
Well said, SilverSprings! :-)
We Texans tried to warn you people.
What he did to Texas, he would do for the nation.
And he did.
He inherited a surplus from Ann Richards, and sunk Texas into a deficit, which his successor has continued.
One of these daze, Texas is going to elect adults again, but probably not in my lifetime, as we are currently haunted by Bush, Sr. in Houston and Bush, Jr. in Dallas.
Then there will be 2 lousy 7-11s masquerading as "presidential libraries."
Sigh.

Posted by: Judy-in-TX | January 6, 2009 7:57 PM

It's not like he's in charge of the FDA. Relax people.

Posted by: blakesouthwood | January 6, 2009 7:47 PM

Dr. Gupta is a serious and fantastic choice from Obama for Surgeon General. The role of the SG is to oversee public health in the US, and to get US citizens to pay attention to their health, and to make recommendations for citizens' health. I htink that's what Dr. Gupta has been doing all those years on CNN! With his name and face recognition, and his common sense, intelligence and ability to communicate complex medical concepts to lay people, Dr. Gupta will be the best Surgeon General the US has ever had. Hope CNN takes him back after his government service, so we can continue to benefit from his insights into public health.
(I am not an Obama fan; I think CNN is in the tank for Obama; and I voted for McCain, but this is really good for US citizens.)

Posted by: evanspe | January 6, 2009 7:42 PM

Propaganda Trumps Science

The 1992 EPA report is an example of the use of epidemiology to promote belief in an epidemic instead of to investigate one. It has damaged the credibility of EPA and has tainted the fields of epidemiology and public health.
In addition, influential anti-tobacco activists, including prominent academics, have unethically attacked the research of eminent scientists in order to further their ideological and political agendas.
The abuse of scientific integrity and the generation of faulty "scientific" outcomes (through the use of pseudoscience) have led to the deception of the American public on a grand scale and to draconian government overregulation and the squandering of public money.

Millions of dollars have been spent promoting belief in SHS as a killer, and more millions of dollars have been spent by businesses in order to comply with thousands of highly restrictive bans, while personal choice and freedom have been denied to millions of smokers. Finally, and perhaps most tragically, all this has diverted resources away from discovering the true cause(s) of lung cancer in nonsmokers.

OSHA ON SECOND HAND SMOKE

Air quality test results by Johns Hopkins University, the American Cancer Society, a Minnesota Environmental Health Department, and various researchers whose testing and report was peer reviewed and published in the esteemed British Medical Journal......prove that secondhand smoke is 2.6 - 25,000 times SAFER than occupational (OSHA) workplace regulations:

Posted by: SAINT---The
--------------------------------------------------
Uhm - so why aren't you on monster.com looking for a job right now, instead of gassing on the WaPo boards? No one will take care of your problems if you don't first.

Posted by: treetopflyer | January 6, 2009 7:37 PM

Dr. Sanjay Gupta is an excellent choice for US surgeon general. He is a brilliant neurosurgeon. He is also a very good communicator. He is very knowledgeable and comes across as a sincere guy interesting in the health and wellness of his audience. President-elect Obama has hit a home run with Gupta's selection. Good Luck.

Posted by: sragotha | January 6, 2009 7:32 PM

Yes, Dr. Jim, nice self serving plug to your website, kind of reduces your credibility. I digress. Yes, Gupta probably does have more visibility than the others, so he has had more influence on the American public. But then again so has Yosemite Sam, however, that does not qualify him for an office appointment. I'm not questioning the man's intelligence, just his lack of experience holding a leadership position. (But then that is the new norm!) This is truly the idiotic "pop culture" attitude that has the US where we are now, able to identify Britney Spears, but unable to recognize or identify Nancy Pelosi. Kind of scary, don't you think?

Posted by: Jenny65 | January 6, 2009 7:22 PM

Not a moment's hesitation to write that he is an excellent choice!

Posted by: gm467 | January 6, 2009 7:21 PM

Whose next: Nate Berkus as the Secretary of the Interior?

Posted by: ped2 | January 6, 2009 7:12 PM

I would say that Dr Gupta has already had a greater positive impact on the health awareness of Americans than many of the past Surgeon Generals. He should be applauded and encouraged for taking on the same job for less pay. http://Jim.MD

Posted by: DrJim1 | January 6, 2009 7:05 PM

The good doctor is as much Pakistani as Mr. Kurtz is Palestinian; this is not foxnews.com is it? A little fact checking please (and I'm not talking Wikipedia here) !!!

Posted by: kalvar00 | January 6, 2009 6:59 PM

You have got to be kidding me! First Panetta, now Gupta!?!? What is Obama thinking? With that kind of logic, I think Anderson Cooper will be chosen as the next National Security Advisor. I do not think it is a feather in Gupta's cap that he helped Hillary Clinton write health care policy during the Clinton years. We all know how well that turned out! I think that just goes to show that he does not have the experience nor the aptitude to be surgeon general. I am not sure this is the type of change people had in mind when he was giving his speeches...

Posted by: sanmateo1850 | January 6, 2009 6:59 PM

SilverSpring8 - Not once did I disclose which side I was on here. You blame "conservatives", that they're trying to push their moral health care ideas on the US, I don't see eliminating abortion as any sort of political moral code. Just a human code of conduct, if there is one anymore. As far as Palin's daughter goes, she's no different than a huge number of other teens in the US. (Bear in mind, I'm no Palin fan.) However, lowering standards to an "anything that feels good, fix it later because it's going to happen anyway", attitude, is going to lead to more teen dropouts, etc. And before you go blasting that the Democrats are the "intellectual" party, I'd revisit the videos of the Obama voters coming out of the polling places who couldn't recognize the names of the VP, Speaker of the House, etc., yep real brainiacs there! And then there's the gaffes by Biden, and the number of states in the union goof by Obama..... Granted, Republicans have little to brag about, but Democrats don't have bragging rights either. The election was won by very savvy political movers who have been operating here in Chicago for a long, long time. They raised the money, made promises to people who are vulnerable, and the ones that will pay will be people like me. And I am not going to pretend that I like it. When I hear the fact that the average 50 year old has less than $50,000 saved for retirement, it makes me sick. What am I doing about it? Figuring out a way, with our accountant, to preserve our dollars so those of us who have saved don't have to pay the way for those who haven't. We already pay more than our fair share in taxes and donations. So, to you and all the others who think the Messiah has come, I hope you're right. But sadly I've seen this happen before in Chicago, and am one of the constituents who have had a "Senator" represent me with "present" votes time and time and time again!

Posted by: Jenny65 | January 6, 2009 6:56 PM

Barack Obama's new Surgeon General, Dept of Health and transition team need to solve the health problems with little or no money before they try big dollars for technology that will be expensive for patients.

NOTE: THE GOAL IN LIFE IS NOT EMPLOYMENT;
the goal is a garden-paradise where we grow our own fruits and vegetables and choose useful pets that provide fresh milk and eggs.

THE ABUNDANT LIFE is not destroying ourselves with unnatural food production, processing, and transporting food around the country or world.

Posted by: MarieDevine | January 6, 2009 6:54 PM

I am an internist who will be starting a Gastroenterology fellowship. So I can say without equivocation that Gupta is a prodigiously brilliant guy. Lets say most medical students represent the top 5% of the best college applicants, only the smartest of the smart get selected for Neurosurgery after medical school. One's scores has to be ridiculously high to get a Neurosurgery slot.

However, I still was pretty shocked at the selection. I see him more as a celebrity, which may hurt his credibility. He'll definitely be a quick study. Plus his celebrity may galvanize many fat lazy Americans into living a more healthy lifestyle. I hope it works out.

Posted by: jabreal00 | January 6, 2009 6:47 PM

"Sanjay Gupta = Carl Sagan

'Nuff said."

Thanks wgmadden. Well said. Who would actually want someone with a PhD in astronomy and astrophysics from the University of Chicago or the former Associate Director of the Center for Radio Physics and Space Research at Cornell University to be the leading advocate for Space Technology related issues? It's not like that guy would be qualified to be an advisor to say... NASA for over 30 years. Oh wait! Yeah, he was.

Posted by: dani22 | January 6, 2009 6:45 PM

All the people who don't believe in Obama and are talking about his inexperience are the same people who thought he can never be president and even if he becomes he won't be a good one. So now, he defeated the odds and became president, people want to point fingers at his nominations.
Why do you guys want to make up your mind about someone before they have actually started doing their job. Give them a chance and if they are not good at it you can oppose and say he or she isn't the right fit for the position. Remember this is America, people have the power. What would have been wrong was that if you were not able to protest if the person is not able to do their job right.
I come from India and I know you can protest about a politician or anyone and nothing is done.
Forget republican or democrats, conservatives or liberals, all we need to see is Obama going to able to dig us out of the hole that Bush created, is he going to dig us deeper or will he spent his time doing catch up due to lack of experience.
If people could give Bush a second chance, I think we deserve to give Obama the opurtunity to perform and not question till one of his selections actually causes a problem or is incapable.
Don't prejudge anybody's capability before testing them, that's all I have to say.

Posted by: ameyasoparkar | January 6, 2009 6:43 PM

I would rather see TRUTH and JUSTICE come back into fashion.I would rather see being awarded a position,job,office ect. to someone who EARNED it NOT BOUGHT IT. I would rather see not by the color of your skin or nationality but by the content of your character.

Posted by: DonnaMarie1 | January 6, 2009 6:40 PM

What's next, Larry King for Secretary of Telecommunications?

Posted by: scooterndc | January 6, 2009 6:38 PM

Dr. Gupta is an excellent choice. I applaud Obama's decision.

Posted by: RichardMiller333 | January 6, 2009 6:37 PM

Would have much rather seen someone with a primary care background take this post, but hopefully I'm proven wrong and he's the first to make this post something more than a 'figurehead' position.

Posted by: flightdoc1 | January 6, 2009 6:28 PM

Sanjay Gupta = Carl Sagan

'Nuff said.

Posted by: wgmadden | January 6, 2009 6:27 PM

There should be no surprise here at all for TWO YEARS CNN and SO MANY OTHERS have PAID for these perks with their biased, untruths,by their empty talking heads.

Posted by: DonnaMarie1 | January 6, 2009 6:26 PM

"You're blaming conservatives for wanting to eliminate abortion, morning after pill, etc., in favor of what?"

=============================

I didn't say what I favored. The other person said liberals will soon attempt to force their medical morals upon the public. I said that is the conservative pot calling the liberal kettle black and cited several recent examples.

Regarding your comment, "Why don't you and your ilk try using something to actually PREVENT pregnancy?": I'm in favor of better access to sex education, STD prevention and birth control for sexually active teens and adults, but that's another thing conservatives oppose.

Tell me, how did that abstinence-only education work out for Bristol Palin?

Posted by: SilverSpring8 | January 6, 2009 6:26 PM

Well, what do you expect from a president without any substantial experience in politics?

He sees himself in Gupta: young, good looking, no experience in politics. Hey, why not. If Obama feel confident that he can wreck the remains of this country to shreds with his lack of knowledge and wisdom, he can care crap if Gupta wrecks the health services of this country.

Gupta comes from CNN! Everything he has trained for is to research his info (someone does it for him) while protecting the big companies that wreck our health for profit.

I guess that's training enough: how to protect the multinational corporations.

Posted by: sapitos44 | January 6, 2009 6:21 PM

Once again, Michael Savage shows his true ignorance by claiming Sanjay Gupta is a hack! He asked his audience, "Would you like to have Gupta operate on you?". Someone should tell him that Dr. Gupta is a neurosurgeon! Jerseynin

Posted by: jerseynin | January 6, 2009 6:14 PM

Dr. Gupta may be one of the more inspired appointments by Obama. He has an unequaled record of versatility and accomplishment plus a real passion for public health care. I'll bet the professionals in the Public Health Service are overjoyed at this pick. Look for the Doctor to hit some home runs.

Posted by: SamThornton | January 6, 2009 6:10 PM

So this will be remembered as the style over substance Presidency.
Barack is such a metro.

Posted by: StoneKitten | January 6, 2009 6:09 PM

To Jess:

I assume you are representative of the quality of thinking that goes on over there at "www.privacy.es.tc," as you have seen fit to include your association in your post and that right is is usually reserved for principals.

I will certainly inform my IT staff, friends and anyone who will listen that some of the leadership associated with your firm lack the cognitive skills necessary to distinguish between a Board Certified Neurosurgeon whose been selected as Surgeon General, and a cartoon character.

As such we should probably look at other vendors.

@clermontpc wrote:
"You have GOT to be kidding me! A freaking Journalist? Heck he might as well appoint SpongeBob Squarepants to the position!

jess
www.privacy.es.tc"

Posted by: emcauley3 | January 6, 2009 6:09 PM

Sanjay Gupta is 100% Indian descent.

Posted by: kristi_h | January 6, 2009 6:09 PM

Seriously, folks. Why on earth would this man be remotely qualified to be on TV talking about medical issues if he weren't highly educated and respected within his field? He is a board certified neurosurgeon (Associate Chief of Neurosurgery at Grady Memorial Hospital) and an assistant professor at Emory University in Atlanta, GA.

It is not like neurosurgeons are real doctors. Neurosurgeons (and surgeons in general) are doctors like carpenters are home builders.

Posted by: davej2 | January 6, 2009 6:03 PM

I am sure he will be "fair and balanced". CNN is known for its open minded "journalists"...just ask Glenn Beck. BTY, "Planet in Peril"?? Talk about journalistic malpractice!! (pun intended).

Posted by: marltondad | January 6, 2009 5:58 PM

Maybe if Obama was in the gym on the treadmill in the afternoon, rather than in the morning, he'd have chosen Dr. Phil.

Posted by: marybelrocco | January 6, 2009 5:58 PM

@ gouZgounis

Nope. You might not pass the test though.
I did not tell one way or the other.

Morons are everywhere. They can me Democrats or Republicans. But my experience tells me that Republican Morons are at least twice as many, if not thrice as many as Democratic Morons.

Posted by: johnpaulbuchuk | January 6, 2009 5:55 PM

Nice argument there SilverSpring8! You're blaming conservatives for wanting to eliminate abortion, morning after pill, etc., in favor of what? Oh, I get it ...limitless abortions and teens using the morning after pill for birth control. Why don't you and your ilk try using something to actually PREVENT pregnancy? Oh, that's right it will kill your second coming sexual revolution! Try planning ahead - that works best. Then you won't have to clog the public health system and Planned Parenthood with eliminating the "problem"!

Posted by: Jenny65 | January 6, 2009 5:49 PM

"I think we need to have IQ tests before you can let someone vote!"

You're obviously not a democrat then!

Posted by: gouZgounis | January 6, 2009 5:49 PM

"A CNN reporter for Surgeon General ... only in America. (And I'm assuming he's American ... is he?)"

====================

Exactly! Only in America! His parents emigrated from India more than 40 years ago and worked as engineers for Ford Motor Company. He was born and reared in Michigan. He graduated from the University of Michigan (undergraduate plus medical school). He is a practicing neurosurgeon who also appears on CNN.

As for your last sentence, apparently you didn't get the memo that the Republic Party playbook -- attempting to sow fear about people who "look foreign" or have foreign-sounding names -- failed miserably in the recent election.

Posted by: SilverSpring8 | January 6, 2009 5:48 PM

Oh my God! It is official that my country filled with morons!!! God!

@clermontpc you are a moron... and don't be afraid you are not alone.

I think we need to have IQ tests before you can let someone vote!

Posted by: johnpaulbuchuk | January 6, 2009 5:45 PM

Another Clinton re-tread, Gupta was a "special advisor" to Hillary Clinton when she was First Lady.

Also it seems Sanjay Gupta isn't a favorite of Michael Moore.

"A July 9, 2007, broadcast of CNN's The Situation Room aired a "fact check" segment by Gupta on Michael Moore's 2007 film Sicko in which Gupta stated that Moore had "fudged facts".[5] Immediately following the segment, Moore was interviewed live on CNN by Wolf Blitzer.

Moore said that Gupta's report was inaccurate and biased, and Moore later posted a detailed response on his website.[6] Moore accused CNN and Gupta of being biased in favor of the drug industry because most of the sponsors for their medical coverage, including Gupta's reports, were drug companies. On July 10, 2007, Gupta debated Moore on Larry King Live, and, on the 15th, CNN released a statement in response to Michael Moore's rebuttal. In it, they apologized for an error in their on-air report, having stated that in the film Moore reported Cuba spends $25 per person for health care when the film actually gave that number as $251.

CNN also admitted that, in his debate with Moore, Gupta had afterwards committed a second error, mistakenly contesting Moore's observation that Gupta's one on-air expert was now associated with a Republican-linked think tank rather than a university."

BTW, I'm not a bitter neocon. Just the bearer of tidings.

Posted by: janet8 | January 6, 2009 5:43 PM

Does anyone know if it is against the law to impersonate the Surgeon General?

Posted by: Bitter_Bill | January 6, 2009 5:42 PM

@ POOKIESMOMMY

Please you tell us who is qualified to be a Surgeon General..

Or at least tell us the qualifications a Surgeon General should have or you think should have? Also please tell us what qualifications Dr. Gupta is lacking?

Please enlighten us.

Posted by: johnpaulbuchuk | January 6, 2009 5:42 PM

"A CNN reporter for Surgeon General ... only in America." Get serious, Playfair 109 (nice irony there between your name and your crappy attitude, btw). The man is a BOARD CERTIFIED NEUROSURGEON, you idiot! That's a darned sight more qualified than an actor for president, don'tcha think? (That would be Reagan I'm referring to, genius.)

Posted by: Suckitup | January 6, 2009 5:41 PM

Dr. Gupta would be an excellent choice.
(I haven't read all the other comments yet.)
One of his great abilities is his talent for explaining complicated medical conditions and procedures in plain language for lay people to understand.
Two or 3 years ago, when my husband and I were seeing our doctor for our annual check-ups, I told the doctor that I wanted him to check my husband for osteoperosis because Fred had endured previous ruptured disc surgery.
I told him that I heard about the fact that men could also be victims of osteoperosis and they recommended men also have the non-invasive test for bone deterioration.
"Where did you hear that?" he growled.
"Dr. Sanjay Gupta on CNN," said I.
"Well, I don't know if the insurance will allow the test," he said.
"Well, let's check," I said.
"Even if he doesn't have it now, you will have a baseline test for comparison purposes in the future."
(The doctor had just purchased a brand new machine to run the test in his office, along with training for one of his nurses.)
To his amazement, the insurance approved the test and the test was conducted that afternoon.
One of the nurses told me, much amused, that our doctor did not often appreciate his clients telling him how to practice medicine, however, in my case, she couldn't get over that I was successful in asking for this test.
Another time, he wanted to change some medication, but I told him I didn't want to change.
I knew what provoked the pressure to change: the insurance company was complaining that the medication I took was more expensive.
I told the doctor that the reason I didn't want to change was that the switch suggested was to a pill made by a different process than the pill that I took, which got along better with my body and protected my heart more thoroughly than pills made by the other process.
To keep the medication, he had to write a letter.
"I don't write letters," he told me.
I offered to write it for him if he didn't want to write it himself.
He wrote the letter.
I got the prescription I wanted to retain.
He wanted to know how I knew about the production process?
"Dr. Sanjay Gupta," said I.
"He not only discussed it on the air, he wrote an article about it on the CNN website.
"Would you like to read it?
"I will print you a copy.
"Oh, and by the way, he cites his sources his article depends on."
"No, I don't need it," he said.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta will make an EXCELLENT surgeon general.

Posted by: Judy-in-TX | January 6, 2009 5:41 PM

You have GOT to be kidding me! A freaking Journalist? Heck he might as well appoint SpongeBob Squarepants to the position!

jess
www.privacy.es.tc

Posted by: clermontpc | January 6, 2009 5:40 PM

WHAT A MISTAKE!

How can someone who is a neuro surgeon at the same time by a TV star, do the infomercials that you see in the doctor's office, be real.

Someone better look at his credentials because he is "too" good to be true.

I think he wants to be a wanna-be TV star, and that is it.

I mean think about it...he's always on TV and yet he performs surgery regularly, where does he get the time.

And, also, he is a socialist always telling everyone what they should eat, etc. This guy is nothing but trouble.

Posted by: semby | January 6, 2009 5:40 PM

What an absolute honor for Dr. Gupta.
He will be the best ever. GREAT CHOICE.
He's awesome both intellectual and down to earth
and a GREAT COMMUNICATOR.
I remember when he did surgery in Iraq.
He's beyond awesome. He's in a class by himself.

Posted by: blakesouthwood | January 6, 2009 5:39 PM

The man is a graduate of Univ. of Michigan, one of the best public universities in the country, assistant professor of neurosurgery at Emory University School of Medicine, and associate chief of the neurosurgery service at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. A neurosurgeon is a highly selective profession within medicine and there are about 3,500 licensed to practice in the U.S. I imagine accepting the Surgeon General role would require a HUGE pay cut for Dr. Gupta as the current Surgeon General makes around $150,000. So why would an active neurosurgeon and newsshow host want a job where they would be responsible for the following? From the Office of the Surgeon General’s website: ”The Surgeon General serves as America's chief health educator by providing Americans the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and injury”. Seems like a natural for the position from what I have seen and heard from his broadcasts.

Maybe it has something to do with the love of people, country and doing the right thing and using your God given gifts for the benefit of others. Sounds like a community organizer for the nation’s health and we all know what some think of community organizers. Time to replace the current “brain surgeons” who are running the county with the real thing.

Posted by: jbbop | January 6, 2009 5:37 PM

"Great now we will have a liberal Surgeon General with heavy influence on and from liberal media to play puppet and decide what is medically moral and forcing that view on the public."

==================

The conservatives have spent the last 35 years attempting to force their medical morals upon the public (abortion, the morning-after pill, assisted suicide, Terry Schiavo, shall I go on?).

Posted by: SilverSpring8 | January 6, 2009 5:34 PM

tlintx you have to realize that Obama has no plans. He is in over his head and this is exactly why his administration is made up of all of Clinton's people.

This is going to be worse than the Jimmy Carter years.

In six months all my liberal friends will be buying me all those drinks they bet me.

Oh yeah expect Penetta to cripple our CIA just like Carter did.

Posted by: WillKane | January 6, 2009 5:33 PM

OMG - another nominee with "Clinton" stamped on his forehead!? So, do you think Hillary didn't get elected because of her sex? Makes ya wonder when the team SHE put together is what Obama is using.

A CNN reporter for Surgeon General ... only in America. (And I'm assuming he's American ... is he?)

Posted by: playfair109 | January 6, 2009 5:33 PM

Bwahaha! This is hilarious. And look, another wet democrat shot. Surprised we have to endure more man-breast shots. So another former Clintonista showboat. Neurosurgery is an amazing specialty, and I'm sure he's good at it - but he's not being appointed for neurosurgeon in chief.

Especially enjoy all the hate speech from obvious liberals/dems - wow, how open and accepting you are of those with different points of view.

Posted by: explore4corners | January 6, 2009 5:29 PM

What do you people expect when the most unqualified, least experienced candidate for President ever is elected? Gupta for Surgeon Gen., Leon Panetta for head of the CIA, Biden our VP?? This administration will be filled with nothing but Clintonites. What happened to the vote for change? There is no change.

Seems a little fishy...like a 'smoke-filled" room deal after the nomination last summer to me.

Posted by: POOKIESMOMMY | January 6, 2009 5:26 PM

So far, President Elect Obama is keeping his promises. He is not afraid of listening to the facts because that's what Dr. Gupta is going to deliver. He has been serving the community here at home as well as abroad. He is not afraid of taking on the challenges ahead of him. He has performed many successful surgeries in unusual circumstances(in Iraq war). I wish him the best and congratulate to President Elect Obama.

Posted by: marora1 | January 6, 2009 5:25 PM

@ bkhoward

LOL! If only changing morons was that easy...!

Posted by: johnpaulbuchuk | January 6, 2009 5:25 PM

The media-anointed president is choosing his equally media-savvy team. They look good on camera but just don't look any deeper (reference Bill Richardson, Hillary Clinton, Rahm Emanuel).

Posted by: schratboy | January 6, 2009 5:25 PM

Well, Gupta hardly believes in Universal healthcare. In fact hear him on this video complaining about high taxes needed for universal healthcare. Gupta& Michael Moore
got into a disagreement on CNN.
Can Obama find someone that believes
in his programs?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR2U_SAWHdQ

Posted by: tlintx | January 6, 2009 5:25 PM

If Obama wants to set an example of controlling wasteful governemnt spending, he should eliminate the SG position. Do we really need someone appointed by the president to run around in a uniform and ponitifficate about the evils of smoking and being overweight ? The media already does a fine job of that which I guess explains why Dr. Gupta is a shoe-in for the job, along with his Clinton ties.

Posted by: gouZgounis | January 6, 2009 5:23 PM

Surgeon General is certainly one of the more mediocre positions in the government, I'm surprised Gupta took the position. Frankly, in terms of influencing public health concerns he's probably better off by staying at CNN.

Posted by: wolfcastle | January 6, 2009 5:22 PM

Sanjay is the man! He's a neurosurgeon. There aren't too many people, even other doctors, who can qualify to operate on the brain...which by the way, some of your comments indicate that you could use Dr. Gupta.

Posted by: bkhoward | January 6, 2009 5:21 PM

You lost the election, stop crying liberal or socialist. Georgie Bush is the biggest Socialist President in All of American History!

Now go wash your brains out with a nice enema.

Posted by: whattim | January 6, 2009 5:21 PM

Great choice! I have lots of respect for Dr. Gupta who is REALLY a Dr. that has actually practiced medicine.

Posted by: clintt5 | January 6, 2009 5:21 PM

@marybelrocco

Please you tell us who is qualified to be a Surgeon General..

Or at least tell us the qualifications a Surgeon General should have or you think should have? Also please tell us what qualifications Dr. Gupta is lacking?

Please enlighten us.

Posted by: johnpaulbuchuk | January 6, 2009 5:19 PM

I just want to ask a quick question of anybody who is bothered by this nomination: have you actually looked up what the Surgeon General does?

I did, and frankly I don't think I care one way or the other.

Posted by: alkuth | January 6, 2009 5:19 PM

I heard he was thinking of Dr. Rey!

Posted by: Jenny65 | January 6, 2009 5:18 PM

@marybelrocco

Please you tell us who is qualified to be a Surgeon General..

Or at least tell us the qualifications a Surgeon General should have or you think should have? Also please tell us what qualifications Dr. Gupta is lacking?

Please enlighten us.

Posted by: johnpaulbuchuk | January 6, 2009 5:18 PM

Watch Fox News get made Obama didn't pick Bill O'Reilly who's insane, Hannity who's a bartender or Glenn Beck the drunk/druggie as his choice. Wing Nut Repubicans are all over the place since McCain/Palin lost. Even some Democratic Law Makers who were in the back pocket of the White House are running scared their corrupt will come to light under Obama/Biden transparentcy policy. Feinstein's husband Mr. Blum will get busted and so will Speaker Pelosi and Harry Reid who have made millions to go along with the Bush corruption policies.

Posted by: qqbDEyZW | January 6, 2009 5:16 PM

Wow! That's pretty cool, I never saw that one coming. He's certainly qualified, and I am amazed he would take such a huge paycut. Obama must have made a very convincing case for him to join up.

Posted by: grimmix | January 6, 2009 5:16 PM

johnpaulb : stop making fun of Bush and Fema. Mike Brown was completely qualified to be FEMA Director after years practicing as a Horse Trainer.

Posted by: rodni7777 | January 6, 2009 5:16 PM

Riggy, I didn't say the Republic Party had no right to criticize, just no credibility. The Republic Party has been nominating unqualified ideologues for far more sensitive positions than Surgeon General for the last eight years, so this sudden concern about qualifications is heartwarming, if a little late.

The Office of the Surgeon General reports to the Assistant Secretary of Health, so it's rather low on the totem pole. It is more a bully pulpit than anything else. Another office that reports to the same Asst. Secy. is the President's Council on Physical Fitness. George H. W. Bush (Bush 41) appointed Arnold Schwarzenegger to chair the council from 1990-1993. Gupta = famous neurosurgeon = Presidential health advocate. Schwarzenegger = famous weighlifter = Presidential fitness advocate. I don't see anything wrong with either selection.

As for your other point, let's agree to disagree on whether Dr. Gupta is an unqualified bozo. I'd call him an American immigrant family success story.

Posted by: SilverSpring8 | January 6, 2009 5:16 PM

I am disappointed he did not pick Deepak Chopra. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success are clearly the Principles by which the Great Obama will govern!

Posted by: columbus1947 | January 6, 2009 5:14 PM

Guys there is no need to point out Republican disaster picks. The simple reason is people without credentials or morons were appointed to top posts. Remember FEMA?!

Dr Gupta is a doctor for Surgeon General. By the way my fellow Americans (Morons pay attention), Surgeon General is a doctor. If morons and Republicans (I am not claiming that all Republicans are morons) had their way, they would appoint a butcher as Surgeon General. Remember FEMA?

Peace.

Posted by: johnpaulbuchuk | January 6, 2009 5:13 PM

Well, this discussion sure didn't take long to fly off the rails. Sigh...

Posted by: Janine1 | January 6, 2009 5:13 PM

abqcleve:

My God, there are times I'm embarrassed right back by my fellow Americans.....

Yes, and as a fellow American, I'm embarrassed by Americans who think Sanjay, a lovely Indian-American man, is qualified to be Surgeon General solely because he is an accomplished communicator and a familiar face on CNN. Please tell me what his qualifications are...aside from handsome, articulate, no more medically informed than my family doctor, that make Sanjay ready to be SURGEON GENERAL?

Obama is planning to overhaul our entire medical system. In that light, this nomination is a sick joke.

Posted by: marybelrocco | January 6, 2009 5:12 PM

I was on the Nancy Grace show in 2005 and was with Gupta in the green room. Man, was he obsessed with his hair and makeup. Sort of reminded me of John Edwards. I was embarrassed for him.. Too full of himself.

Posted by: VictoriaBalfour | January 6, 2009 5:11 PM

I'm unable to find any authoritative writing about qualifications for becoming the US surgeon general.

Can any of you direct me?

The closest I find are the duties of the surgeon general appearing at the Office of the Surgeon General website

Being Surgeon General isn't really brain surgery, now, is it?
So what if he doesn't come from a serious field like neurosurgery... Or wait...
So what if he doesn't spend his life educating the public on health issues... No... Crap... What I mean is..
He's on TV, dammit. Disqualified!

Posted by: David75 | January 6, 2009 5:11 PM

Another Clinton retread?

Who's the Pres-elect again? Clinton or Obama?

Posted by: dcis1 | January 6, 2009 5:08 PM

emac : I think those qualifications are more than what it takes to qualify to be on Bush's cabinet : be W's buddy. example : Former FEMA Chief during Katrina Mike Brown who was a Horse Trainer before taking the job as FEMA director. Remember what happened during Hurricane Katrina? Horse Trainer to FEMA director : Hell of a job Browny!

Posted by: rodni7777 | January 6, 2009 5:05 PM

I saw that Larry King episode with Michael Moore and Sanjay Gupta. I don't care for Gupta. Michael Moore was right about everythiung he said about Sanjay Gupta.

Posted by: info4 | January 6, 2009 5:04 PM

BEST COMMENTS:

ringobabe..."We need George Takei as head of NASA, and Wanda Sykes as director of the CIA"
===

Great now we will have a liberal Surgeon General with heavy influence on and from liberal media to play puppet and decide what is medically moral and forcing that view on the public. Good by America, you will be missed.

Posted by: ninety9 | January 6, 2009 5:03 PM

Bill Richardson's backed out and Hillary's on deck with her payforplay scam!

-------------------------------------------

A comment from the same folks who brought you Jack Abramoff, Duke Cunningham, Bob Ney, etc. Judge not lest ye be judged.

Posted by: jvgranquist | January 6, 2009 5:03 PM

@wleriche - you moron! he is a real doctor.

Posted by: johnpaulbuchuk | January 6, 2009 5:03 PM

Dr. Sanjay Gupta is a Neurosurgeon. In order to become a neurosurgeon, one must:

1. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree (four years)
2. Graduate from an accredited medical school (four years)
3. Build fundamental clinical skills by completing a six month to one-year surgical internship program.
4. Complete five to seven years in a neurosurgical residency program accredited by the American Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
a. During residency training, neurosurgeons are trained in all aspects of neurosurgery, including the cerebrovascular system, the spine and spinal cord, trauma, tumors, pain management and pediatric surgery.
b. Residents must complete a minimum of 60 months of training in the neurological sciences, with at least 36 of those months devoted to clinical neurosurgery and a minimum of three months devoted to clinical neurology

It seems Dr. Gupta is a Neurosurgeon by formal training and practice, who also happens to also be a journalist due to his medical expertise.

Posted by: emcauley3 | January 6, 2009 5:02 PM

Actually, "Change" is coming!

Speaker Nancy Pelosi is trying to abolish the Dimocrat's "Contract with America"!

"Change", you need to wipe off your boots!

Posted by: SAINT---The | January 6, 2009 5:02 PM

"Actually,it`s getting tough to find any CHANGE from the old Washington politics that fueled the Obama campaign and swept him on a magic carpet ride to the White House."

You want change, you got it. "President-elect Barack Obama arrived on Capitol Hill yesterday and immediately set to work reassuring skeptical Republicans about his massive economic stimulus package -- part of a campaign that earned him praise for seeking their input [emphasis added] but questions from those averse to hundreds of billions of dollars in new spending.

You right wing morons. Like Bush didn't pick anyone form the media for his posts. Anyone remember TONY SNOW from FOX NEWS being appointed Bush's Press Secretary???? Oh yeah, I guess you guys forgot about that one.

Posted by: rodni7777 | January 6, 2009 4:57 PM

republican_disaster...you are a prime example of people who tend to speak the loudest about intolerance are the most intolerant people.

Posted by: mad_hatter | January 6, 2009 4:56 PM

Posted by: republican_disaster |

You haters are all from the Rush Limbaugh School of Riech-wing Windbagery.

Deep South Rednecks and Appalachian inbreeds, that's all that's left of the republitug party.

___________

Hey disaster, Riech-wing like the Third Reich? Ummmm, they were Socialist like you!

BTW I bet all them there Rednecks know how to spell check!

Posted by: connman | January 6, 2009 4:55 PM

"Deep South Rednecks and Appalachian inbreeds, that's all that's left of the republitug party."
Posted by: republican_disaster

OK, poster: What I said to a Republican applies to you. Keep the stereotypes down, OK? You've had some other good posts, but this one was disappointing.
Lighten up, dude! ; )

To all my fellow Americans please lend me your ears...especially the morons like marybelrocco.... you are a moron... he went to U of M. You are a moron... he is a neurosurgeon. He is a doctor not a butcher being appointed as Surgeon General. What the hell is wrong with that and what the hell is wrong with you?

Posted by: johnpaulbuchuk | January 6, 2009 4:53 PM

Every now and then I scroll down to look at the comments. I have the impression that comments are usually offensive, partisan, anti-intelligent rantings a decent person would never say to another person's face.

I have the impression that anonymity does not simply reveal the worst, it encourages it.

Thanks for confirming my impression.

Posted by: brianrants | January 6, 2009 4:52 PM

Thinking about it a little more, Reynolds Wolf is a really articulate, easily recognized by viewers, handsome-looking CNN man, cheerful, funny, telegenic, knowledgeable about storms, tornados, hurricanes...maybe he needs to be nominated as head of FEMA? Eye candy, CNN's Wolf definitely needs to be nominated for SOMETHING....F.E.M.A. Yup!

Posted by: marybelrocco | January 6, 2009 4:52 PM

mad_hatter, judge a man by their character?

Up until a few weeks ago, South Carolina Republican Chairman Katon Dawson belonged to an "ALL WHITE" country club... ELEVEN YEARS member in a WHITES ONLY KKKountry KKKlub.

He's the guy running for the RNC chair.
The other white guy, Chip Saltsman is the "Magic Negro" guy.

Former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, who would be the party’s first black chairman could have a job checking your coat there... because, being a negro, he wouldn't have a membership.

Posted by: republican_disaster | January 6, 2009 4:52 PM

We`ve had C.Everett Koop and Jocelyn Elders
as part of a long line of lightweights who had more expertise in self promotion than medicine...so Sanjay is no change in quality.Actually,it`s getting tough to find any CHANGE from the old Washington politics that fueled the Obama campaign and swept him on a magic carpet ride to the White House.

Posted by: bowspray | January 6, 2009 4:51 PM

Here is a Larry King episode with Michael Moore and Sanjay Gupta, whith Moore disputing some claims that Gupta made about Moore's movie, "Sicko".

I also have to wonder whether Gupta's role in the media and its affiliations with sponsors, such as hospitals and drug companies, will become an issue as he uses his new position to advocate on medical issues. As the Gupta/Moore episode shows, Gupta may have had conflicts while in the media due to media sponsorships.

Posted by: bevjims1 | January 6, 2009 4:51 PM

Posted by: thelaw1:

...A fiction writer could not have written a better script. Rewarding CNN for helping Obama get elected....
*****************

Huh? Between Campbell Brown and the intellectually-challenged Lou Dobbs, CNN hasn't fit that stereotype since Aaron Brown's short-lived tenure there years ago. CNN is unwatchable these days, except for a few folks like Dr. Gupta.

You haters are all from the Rush Limbaugh School of Riech-wing Windbagery.

Deep South Rednecks and Appalachian inbreeds, that's all that's left of the republitug party.

Posted by: republican_disaster | January 6, 2009 4:48 PM

republican_disaster.."Republicans don't all fit into any single mold but they are intolerant of others in general."

Nah, I'd rather treat everyone based on their individual character. What's the matter with celebrating what we have in common along with diversity of others?

Seems these holidays, awareness, etc. events and holidays tend to focus on the differences only, and you are missing out on what makes this country so great.

Posted by: mad_hatter | January 6, 2009 4:47 PM

Excellent. As one of many Arizonans disturbed by Bush's choice of Richard Carmona, this is a refreshing change(Carmona's likely the only surgeon general to have shot & killed someone in the line of duty. How's that for a Hippocratic oath? Let's leave a righteous shoot to non-medical personnel.) Gupta is experienced, telegenic, articulate, and has a good grasp of the health issues that concern us. Bravo! And kudos to his family if they can support him in this move.

Posted by: drvining | January 6, 2009 4:47 PM

Bill Richardson's backed out and Hillary's on deck with her payforplay scam!

Posted by: connman | January 6, 2009 4:47 PM

I believe Dr. Gupta to be a wise choice - now perhaps he will select more open minded medical professionals akin to Dr. Andrew Wiel or author Jean Carper. The American public is tired of the shady corrupt Bush and his compadres.

Posted by: missbg5 | January 6, 2009 4:46 PM

@marybelrocco

You are a moron! Gupta is not a surname from the middle east! God!

Posted by: johnpaulbuchuk | January 6, 2009 4:46 PM

You betcha', if he's on TV, he's got to be good, right? Please. While we're at it, how about Oprah as Ambassador to the UN? Yes, America, TV personalities are now going to run the country. We must deserve the government we get when many of us are in love with and informed by the one-eyed leader in our living rooms, bedrooms, dens, kitchens, etc. Is this the best Obama, who plans on changing the best medical care in the world to heaven only knows what, can do? If he's on CNN, he's GOT to be great. Why not make CNN's Reynolds Wolf the climate change czar?

Posted by: marybelrocco | January 6, 2009 4:46 PM

Sanjay Guota is a big fat liar. Like a republican - LIAR.
Or maybe he is just an inept bungling fool. No he is a LIAR.

8 years of BDS and the Libtards are still whining! Obama hasn't been sworn in yet and all we hear is how intelligent and "articulate" he and all his Clinton Teat sucking retreads are. This is gonna be Fun, Fun, Fun!

Posted by: connman | January 6, 2009 4:45 PM

This makes sense since CNN and the rest of the "Mainstream" media already work for Obama and the Dems. Might as well make it official.

Posted by: tobias2012 | January 6, 2009 4:44 PM

How about Doc Holliday or Doc Severinson?

Posted by: AbolhassanBaniSadr | January 6, 2009 4:43 PM

Gupta is Indian! You know, that huge democratic free market practicing country in between China and Pakistan?

I know several Guptas, and they are all Indian. Like another post said, he was US born anyway. Sheesh. I guess 100 years ago people would back someone with an Italian or Irish name.

Posted by: mad_hatter | January 6, 2009 4:43 PM

"It is like choosing a Chef in the movies to hire to manage in the White House catering"

Republicans don't all fit into any single mold but they are intolerant of others in general.

Posted by: republican_disaster | January 6, 2009 4:42 PM

Why not just eliminate the position, let Gupta keep his current gig, and add a logo to his pieces on TV that say "official US medical expert of POTUS".

He really will reach fewer people as the Surgeon General than he does now. And he could probably effect more change in his current role than Jocelyn Elders or C Everett Koop ever did. Who's our current SG? Exactly.

Posted by: lug21 | January 6, 2009 4:42 PM

Here's the hopey changeness you guys wanted.

A fiction writer could not have written a better script. Rewarding CNN for helping Obama get elected.

And to the shoe on the other foot people. Reagan, an actor true, but also governor of california was elected. Dr. Koop was appointed by Reagan and in no way is he the same as Dr Sanjay Gupta.

Posted by: thelaw1 | January 6, 2009 4:42 PM

How did Howard Kurtz find a Pakistani parent re. Dr. Sanjay Gupta? Wikipedia which is a reliable source of information has this to say: Gupta grew up in Novi, Michigan, on the outskirts of Detroit and received both his undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He completed his residency in neurological surgery within the University of Michigan Health System. His father and mother moved from India to Michigan to work as engineers at the Ford Dearborn Plant in the 1960s. He also completed a portion of his residency at St. Lawrence Hospital (now a part of Sparrow Health Network) in Lansing, Michigan.

Howard should not invent, rather discover what is true.

Posted by: hughes_168 | January 6, 2009 4:41 PM

"Obama has no adminstation experience and he was elected president!"

George W. Bush was governor of Texas for six years. Administrative experience is not a guarantee of a successful presidency. In Bush's case, it's not even evidence of brain activity.

Posted by: SilverSpring8 | January 6, 2009 4:40 PM

marybelrecco: Dr Gupta is not from the middle east! He is an american born to Indian parents. India is not in the middle-east!
Can we stop worrying about whom it will please? If the guy is qualfied to do the job, that is all it matter!

Posted by: SamIam4 | January 6, 2009 4:39 PM

What is a gupta??

Sounds like an exotic or extinct animal.

Posted by: chuckcoley | January 6, 2009 4:39 PM

ringobabe..."We need George Takei as head of NASA, and Wanda Sykes as director of the CIA"

I think your suggestions rock

Posted by: mad_hatter | January 6, 2009 4:39 PM

Shatner doesn't fit the spec. We need George Takei as head of NASA, and Wanda Sykes as director of the CIA (yes, she is too).

Posted by: ringobabe | January 6, 2009 4:37 PM

Posted by: marybelrocco:

Bless Sanjay, he's a darling man, I love seeing him on tv, telegenic, articulate, says all the predictably correct things, and he's a lovely looking fellow to boot...but Surgeon General???? Well, at least there is a nomination that will, at least by his surname, please the Middle East......

**************

My God, there are times I'm embarrassed by my fellow Americans.....

Posted by: abqcleve | January 6, 2009 4:37 PM

Uggggh! This clown is nothing but an industry shill who opposes serious healthcare reform. I am really disappointed in Obama for this one.

Posted by: BushMustGo | January 6, 2009 4:36 PM

Excellent choice. The man is a star in the field of medicine and knows how to communicate to the common man. Any civilian who voluntarily does surgery in a combat zone is a man who cares about people. The Republicans questioning his credentials are hungover from "sour grapes." Get over it.

Posted by: TheTruthTeller | January 6, 2009 4:35 PM

Hey Repubs and Right-Wingers - Ya’ all relax!

The Surgeon General is simply a bully pulpit to encourage Americans to live a healthy life. What better person to head such an agency than a media savvy person and someone young people can relate to?

The Surgeon General does not perform surgery, so don’t be confused by the name.

Posted by: sahalu | January 6, 2009 4:35 PM

The Reich-wingnuts want Obama to fail, more than that they want America to fail.

We've had enough of republican disasters over the last 8 years.

Bunch of whining jerks, thank God you people are out of office, now you can go back to being the mostly harmless but annoying cranks you’ve historically been.

Lets hope that republican free market corporatist -fascism and everything that goes with it is dead forever.

Posted by: republican_disaster | January 6, 2009 4:35 PM

...of course, if Mr. Gupta had appeared on the big screen rather than the tube, maybe the Reagan-lovers in this bitter crowd might see things as little differently.

Posted by: drew69drew | January 6, 2009 4:34 PM

I love SilverSpring8's comments, Republicans have no right to question qualifications since they nominated Sarah Palin as VP. So, as I understand this, now that Palin was rejected by the electorate and has returned to Alaska, possibly due to her lack of experience, the Dems can appoint all the unqualified bozos they want in office in response to Palin losing the election.

If that isn't liberal logic at its best, nothing is.....

Posted by: riggy | January 6, 2009 4:34 PM

I've yet to see any condemnation for the Gupta pick coming from any Republicans. I have seen criticism of the Paretta pick from both parties. There are a lot of immature Republican bashing posts here by those who appear to have already decided what the Republican position on the Gupta pick is. Opposing the Gupta pick does not make one a conservative, nor does supporting it make one a liberal. Please understand that it is the Republicans who get to decide what the Republican party's position is, not those who bash the Republicans.

Posted by: GabrielRockman | January 6, 2009 4:32 PM

If Gupta has to give up his weekly CNN cable show, the strange thing about his appointment to the Surgeon General position is that we will likely end up seeing/hearing from him LESS! How is this good for the country?

Posted by: the_logician | January 6, 2009 4:31 PM

I see this guy on CNN all of the time and I think he'd be great for the job.

To anyone that says "Republican bashing" Gupta, blah blah blah...I voted for McCain and I think Gupta is a fantastic choice. Never lump all Republicans into one basket. I make sure to differ from democrat and liberal loonie toon when I make any statements...just as I would never call Bush a conservative...neocon weasel? Heck ya.

Posted by: mad_hatter | January 6, 2009 4:31 PM

Bless Sanjay, he's a darling man, I love seeing him on tv, telegenic, articulate, says all the predictably correct things, and he's a lovely looking fellow to boot...but Surgeon General???? Well, at least there is a nomination that will, at least by his surname, please the Middle East. My only other question: Why not Oprah's DR. PHIIIILLLLLLLLLLL?

"You [Moore] criticize the government so soundly. But you're willing to hand over one of our most precious commodities, our health care in this country, to the government. I'm not saying I disagree with you. But I can't believe you're saying this all in the same sentence.

You so soundly criticize the way this government manages things, yet you're willing to hand over this precious commodity to them."

It's quite possible Dr. Gupta was being a bit of a devil's advocate in this instance, but I wonder how he will mesh with Obama's stated objectives on national healthcare, which I believe Obama to hold very strongly? At a minimum, Dr. Gupta appears to be a complete pragmatist; but he challenges Moore with the conviction of a disbeliever in the plan. He has to know what he's joining, so we'll see how this plays out, I guess....

Posted by: abqcleve | January 6, 2009 4:30 PM

What a great choice! A well educated and skilled professional that knows how to speak to the masses, with a contemporary American look to boot.

Posted by: lindaj4 | January 6, 2009 4:30 PM

"*O-no, O-crap, O-I elected a moron for President*"

Yes...you did. And he's about to be sent back to Texas with his tail between his legs.

Posted by: gibby72 | January 6, 2009 4:29 PM

Cool - my former RA in the dorm at Michigan is going to be the next surgeon general!

Posted by: DC-UM-UDM | January 6, 2009 4:29 PM

"just because someone is a neurosurgeon doesn't mean they have the capacity to administrate.

dr. gupta's resume is devoid of any administration experience.

suspicious"

Obama has no adminstation experience and he was elected president!

Posted by: FL_Sunrise | January 6, 2009 4:29 PM

I have watched Dr.Sanjay Gupta for many years and an excellent TV personality. Obama surprises every one- instead of picking from Hollywood.This job needs other Health care professionals and NOT ACTING as Doc in the Studio. It is like choosing a Chef in the movies to hire to manage in the White House catering

Posted by: jayrkay | January 6, 2009 4:28 PM

The Borgen Project has informative statistics on addressing global poverty.

$30 billion ends world hunger
$550 billion is the US Defense budget

This organization has the ability, resources, and policy-makers to suppress the threat of global poverty by enacting legislation here in the US, which is tied to the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals. Please support organizations such as The Borgen Project so that we may rid the world of poverty.

Posted by: atsegga | January 6, 2009 4:27 PM

I love it. He has already informed us of so many issues we needed to know already. He gets it! His heart seems to be in right place. He seems to want to protect the American people. He seems to have ideas already about how to further inform us and what about. And he has shown an excellent work ethic.

Posted by: bperkins | January 6, 2009 4:25 PM

Ooooh Noah Wiley. I might give up Gupta for Wiley. ;)

Posted by: Marimom | January 6, 2009 4:25 PM

qualified?? why ask if he is qualified, i mean the new president-elect is no more qualified for the position that he is about to embark on..... so i guess it does not matter any more if a person is qualified for the job or not......

Posted by: gralt02 | January 6, 2009 4:25 PM

Intresting nom, when you consider that the Surgeon General really isn't really in charge of policy (that's still HHS). S/he is, however, a visible symbol for health, and Dr. Gupta is already very high profile.

Posted by: Chasmosaur1 | January 6, 2009 4:24 PM

I too am a physician who has read two of Gupta's books. He seems to understand some of the professional problems that physicians face in an era with built in conflicts of interest. He also has an understanding of the problems of medicine from the patient's standpoint as well.

I do not know how good he will be from an administrative or political standpoint but I am confident that he has little interest in promoting the status quo. Like Obama he is not the candidate with the longest list of qualifications but for talent he certainly is a winner. I think he has the potential to be great.

Posted by: Gator-ron | January 6, 2009 4:23 PM

To the Republic Party (sic):

When you nominate someone for Vice President who until two years ago was a small-town mayor in Alaska, you have no credibility when you complain that a neurosurgeon is unqualified for a health advocacy slot.

Dr. Gupta may be great, or a disaster, or likely somewhere between. But the grownups are in charge now after eight years of anti-intellectualism. Elections have consequences, and a village in Texas will soon have its idiot back.

Posted by: SilverSpring8 | January 6, 2009 4:22 PM

I thought Oprah was supposed to be Obama's Surgeon General. What's he doing picking someone from CNN, it's supposed to all be kept in the "O" family! *O-no, O-crap, O-I elected a moron for President*

Posted by: anaf | January 6, 2009 4:22 PM

jeremy l. davis

who writes that he is a physician (ha) wonders about the new surgeon general's credentials.

he didn't even read the piece, which points out gupta was embedded with the army in iraq and did brain surgery...
as he does in his regular life.

And that he is conversent with all public health issues and a really fine communicator.

Best of all, he's not one of the jeremy l. davis' of the world, who undoubttedly would've like one of his own kind...

Posted by: whistling | January 6, 2009 4:22 PM

LOVE HIM! I think he'll be fantastic.

The grumpy Republicans need to stop pouting and start redirecting their energy towards rebuilding a stronger party. Or I guess they can just just stick to the name calling and be sore losers. Doesn't matter to me. Hope is on the horizon!

Posted by: Marimom | January 6, 2009 4:21 PM

What happened? Noah Wiley turned him down?

Posted by: angrierthanyou | January 6, 2009 4:20 PM

I guess Dr. Phil turned him down.

Posted by: Masonman | January 6, 2009 4:18 PM

Regardless of your political leanings, you have to give credit to a guy that's willing to give up the big bucks for a lower paid public service job.

Posted by: OldFan | January 6, 2009 4:18 PM

I'm amazed by all the negativity about Dr. Gupta. Some people might consider me in the right wing demographic (Southern, white, Christian, and many of the other stereotypes that go along with it), but I think Dr. Gupta is an excellent choice! I don't see how someone couldn't like him for the role. He's awesome!

America this is what we call CHANGE. Change is coming. This is the Obama that voters believed in. This is new America. What/ Sanjay Gupta for Surgeon General? Congratulations. This man is super intelligent. He does his reading. He is no Dr. Phil. He puts his words into action. I was touched by his impromptu surgeries in Iraq while embedded with our men and women at war. He is young and intelligent. I mean super intelligent, 5.0.

What a loss to CNN, but a win for us all.

Wow, he also has Pakistani and Indian blood; I hope this will make those two countries see each other in love of life, and not fight.

This is the best selection by Obama. Someone with experience with medicine. Beware pharmaceutical companies, all junk will be cleaned up. I hope Dr. Sanjay Gupta will deliver.

With some of the old dogs being selected, I feared losing Obama to the old school of no change in Washington.

The doors of every hospital should be open to technology with this savvy doc.

Posted by: zodwa | January 6, 2009 4:14 PM

The House Calls guy????

OMG, that is just pathetic.

What, Anthony "Dr. Greene" Edwards wasn't available?

Posted by: WashingtonDame | January 6, 2009 4:13 PM

Thought it was odd how the article didn't mentino that Sanjay Gupta was born and raised in Metro Detroit and the son of auto plant workers. That's good PR for the "Big 3" domestic auto industry bailout.

Posted by: Corey_NY | January 6, 2009 4:11 PM

You all realize that a significant part of the Surgeon General's job to communicate with the public, right? That he already has the respect of many Americans, right? That the past few SGs have been essentially non-existent as far as the public is concerned? It's yet another brilliant appointment on Obama's part, assuming he passing vetting.

Posted by: gibby72 | January 6, 2009 4:11 PM

jaysit, you're so right. And remember when Bush appointed a veterinarian to head the office on women's health? Good times.

adjjones, Gupta actually has continued practicing as a neurosurgeon, even while at CNN. He works crazy hours to do both.

Posted by: Janine1 | January 6, 2009 4:10 PM

HassanAliAl-Hadoodi –

Get a life man. What are you chirping about? Much ado about nothing indeed!

Dr. Gupta is as qualified as any Surgeon General we have had. The guy is an MD and a Health Correspondent that has covered domestic and International health issues.

Just because the man you want for the position did not get it, doesn’t mean all others are unqualified. Get over it.

Posted by: sahalu | January 6, 2009 4:10 PM

And, let this Independent add that I believe Mr. Penetta is the best possible person to run the CIA. That collection of cowboys and traitors need to be taken down, anyways, and Mr. Panetta is just the person to do it. The really ideal thing, anyways, would be to just do away with the CIA entirely and give their mandate to the FBI, which is a thousand times more competent and has better quality people who are professionals.

Posted by: mibrooks27
*****************

Glad someone else feels that way: I think Panetta is an outstanding choice for what ails the intelligence community, especially since he'll report to an experienced intelligence guy. Panetta's work as Chief of Staff was outstanding, he has a JD from Santa Clara, served in the Army as a first lieutenant in 'Nam and actually left the GOP in the early '70s primarily because of his recognition that that gang had embraced the "Southern Strategy" of Nixon.

You gotta be kiddin? When does this guy have any time to practice neurosurgery, when he's a full time TV correspondent???

Now, as to his background in public health medicine, well, I'm sure that is extensive.

Put it this way: Would you want a TV journalist to perform brain surgery on you?

Posted by: adjjones | January 6, 2009 4:09 PM

More proof that CNN is liberal.

Posted by: jtcmd | January 6, 2009 4:09 PM

Actually, the Surgeon General reports to the Assistant Secretary of Health, not the Secretary and the office is small. The surgeon general is a bit of a figure head and has a bully pulpit. The surgeon general tends to be an advisor as opposed to an administrator and typically is not expected to craft policy. No worries, he can't do much damage. I agree though with others that there could have been a more serious pick, someone more accomplished. Not a very good message to send when public health is so important.

Posted by: commentator3 | January 6, 2009 4:06 PM

Dear Howard,

Fact Check Please- Sanjay Gupta is not half Pakistani.

According to Wiki, his parents are Subhash & Damyanti Gupta - these are pure Hindu names.

He's so cute and so cool! Maybe he can pose shirtless like Barack. Oh, wet, wet!

Posted by: mftill | January 6, 2009 4:06 PM

"Put it this way: Would you want a TV journalist to perform brain surgery on you?"

No, but I'd welcome a well-respected neurosurgeon to. Which is what he is.

Posted by: gibby72 | January 6, 2009 4:05 PM

Ugh..what's next, Paris Hilton as Secretary of the.. uh... Interior?

Posted by: craig_ | January 6, 2009 4:04 PM

"Gupta comes accross as very narcissistic with little of the savy political acumen needed to successfully do the job of surgeon general. I would much prefer that Obama choose someone who has headed a large city public health department or done extensive probono work... someone who is more grounded on the everyday lives of citizens rather than a multimillion dollar journalist. -- Posted by: burkemic99"

"Not a huge fan, but I'll grudgingly admit it makes total sense to appoint a professional cable news bobblehead who knows his way around a camera to a post which basically involves using the bully pulpit to goad people into healthier behaviors. -- Posted by: matthewarnold"

These two comments together sum up my reaction to this appointment.

So far, I've been pleased with all the Obama appointments, and, actually, I don't hate this one. But I don't love it, either. I've found Gupta, as a writer, to err on the side of oversimplifying things, as though he's writing for a not-very-bright audience. He's been known to make sweeping generalizations that are essentially unsupportable, and he sometimes seems reluctant to go into detail on medical issues -- sort of like the venerable old family doc telling you not to "worry about it, dear." That's a form of smugness that I find particularly repellant.

On the other hand, if properly channeled, his expertise in neurosurgery could be of huge benefit both domestically and internationally, and, as a guy with a pretty face who is used to TV cameras, he may prove a good PR man for the kind of public health initiatives I hope to see the Obama administration pursue.

Unfortunately, he just really doesn't project the kind of authority and experience that this job requires. And, dressed in the little pseudo-military costume of the Surgeon General, he's going to look more like an extra in a British film than the top doc in the U.S. Maybe the wardrobe department could come up with something a little snazzier and ... well ... more 21st century?

I'm also troubled by the reports of his "financial concerns." Does this mean that a guy who has been raking it in as both a neurosurgeon and a TV and print journalist hasn't managed to put away enough to get his family through four years of diminished income? Is there a question of judgment that should be examined here, or do the Guptas just have an unusually high standard of living?

Finally, given the number of contenders for this job who are qualified by both education and experience, are we to believe that Gupta is the best choice? What about someone like Baltimore's Peter Beilenson?

It just seems that Gupta is getting the job for his pretty face and skill in front of the cameras. But, maybe that's what Americans need right now: eye candy to prod them into healthier habits.

Posted by: kjohnson3 | January 6, 2009 4:03 PM

Dr. Gupta is both a highly qualified neurosurgeon and an expert on public health. CNN didn't choose him to opine on public health just because he looks pretty. Plus, the Surgeon General's role is to use his bully pulpit to convince Americans of changes in their habits to improve their health. Dr. Gupta is uniquely qualified to do this.

As for the moron Republicans who compare this nomination to "William Shatner for heading NASA," you once again display your utter ignorance and stupid biases. Remember that it was YOUR boy King Dubya who nominated Christian conservative morons who barely graduated with a BA from some third rate Christian fundamentalist college to high positions in NASA, the FDA and the DOJ. Things were so bad at NASA and the FDA that highly qualified scientists were quitting in disgust at the religious politicization of highly scientific agencies. I suggest you people shut up, go hang your head in shame and keep quiet while educated adults take over the reins of government.

Posted by: jaysit | January 6, 2009 4:03 PM

"As a Republican I do not have a problem with this pick. As long as Obama picks, Dr. Jack Kavorkian for his personal physician."
Posted by: dashriprock

Oh, ha-ha. How *clever,* you are, poster. Why don't we make a cheap joke about Bush in a similar vein? Wouldn't that be hilarious?
It's childish, idiotic remarks like yours that show exactly why your sainted GOP is in toilet, poster.
That you apparently lack the wisdom to understand that is sad, but not surprising.

Posted by: vegasgirl1 | January 6, 2009 4:03 PM

Hey, accountability_in_gov, wouldn't Gerberding be better suited to a more substantive role in HHS, or heading NIH, or something like that? I've always had the impression that the Surgeon General is more of a spokesperson (or public scold, though I don't really mean that pejoratively), which is why someone like Gupta makes sense.

Posted by: Janine1
*******************

Exactly. Gerberding would be good, but better in the roles you suggest, and there's none better right now than Dr. Gupta at the PR aspects of this job: better than Coop, who was the best in my lifetime. Disregard the rantings of the uninformed here.

Posted by: abqcleve | January 6, 2009 4:01 PM

You gotta be kiddin? When does this guy have any time to practice neurosurgery, when he's a full time TV correspondent???

Now, as to his background in public health medicine, well, I'm sure that is extensive.

Put it this way: Would you want a TV journalist to perform brain surgery on you?

Posted by: adjjones | January 6, 2009 4:01 PM

Obama has made a serious mistake in not appointing Howard Dean for surgeon general.
Oh, and hclark1: Think you come up with something more intelligent than "Another, really - really bad day for the DEMOCRUDS."
I've seen your post on several forums. It's boring.
Back to the drawing board for you, poster.
Instead of repeating whatever rant you heard on talk radio, maybe a little more creativity on your part would make you appear than something other than a fool here.

Posted by: vegasgirl1 | January 6, 2009 3:59 PM

"Prince Fukri just called to say Al-Arabiya is reporting Ben Bernanke is to step down in favour of Deepak Chopra. For sure this would be a big improvement but I haven't seen the item elsewhere.

Posted by: HassanAliAl-Hadoodi | January 6, 2009 3:45 PM"
-------
I get it, you just don't like people of south-asian descent. You figure because the article says his parents were Indian an Pakastani that he or anyone from that region is unqualified.

He is an American and a Neurosurgeon, he is very bright and communicates well. He has been all over the world researching health matters in different regions.

Compared to the mass exodus of the current admins appointees this one is brilliant.

Posted by: JRM2 | January 6, 2009 3:56 PM

I am a physician and I am appalled. I do not know his qualifications in detail, but I can think of 10 other individuals who would do a better job. Why not pick someone involved in public health, a member of the public health service, a leading researcher or academic physician in touch with the issues. Gupta is more in touch with the world of journalism, not medicine. I hope the medical community joins in discrediting him.

Posted by: jeremyldavis | January 6, 2009 3:56 PM

Paris Hilton for Commerce!

Posted by: matt_hilburn | January 6, 2009 3:55 PM

just because someone is a neurosurgeon doesn't mean they have the capacity to administrate.

dr. gupta's resume is devoid of any administration experience.

suspicious.

Posted by: egalitaire | January 6, 2009 3:55 PM

Naturally the conservative yahoos who still support President Worst hate this pick. The man is highly educated and compassionate -- two things rightwingers simply cannot stand for in their leaders.

The only knock you could legitimately raise against the pick is that Gupta doesn't have experience administering a large organization, but the SG's office is not that large. He reports to the Sec. for HHS. He will be a perfect spokesperson for the country digging itself out from 8 years of medievalism and fundamentalist religious meddlings in our health care matters.

Posted by: B2O2 | January 6, 2009 3:54 PM

I am pleased to see Obama choose someone who, like himself, is smart, articulate, and level-headed. Those who resent the replacement of the Bush's "religion" based government with science and fact-based decision making are choking on their anger because ....... you fill in the blank!

Posted by: yyuryyubicuryy4me | January 6, 2009 3:54 PM

Dr. Gupta is one of the few people on TV who actually has the credentials to discuss the subjects he covers. A neuro-surgeon who has also worked policy issues and who can get his message across on TV: this guy belongs on Obama's "dream team."

Another great pick. For 8 years. we let the dunces run the country; now let's give the smart kids a chance.

Leon Panetta:
*B.A. magna cum laude, Santa Clara University
*J.D., Santa Clara University Law School
*First Lieutenant in the Army
*Congressman from 1977 to 1993
*Chairman House Committee on the Budget 1989 to 1993,
*Director of the Office of Management and Budget
*Chief of Staff to President Clinton

Cut me a slack. Leon Panetta not qualified as CIO Director?

Some Repubs and Right-Wingers will stop at nothing to smear and discredit the Obama Administration. Shame!

Posted by: sahalu | January 6, 2009 3:53 PM

name a pakistani/indian member of Bush's administration? (not named Musharraf)...crikets chirping....my point exactly-welcome to a new world....

Posted by: gq_online | January 6, 2009 3:53 PM

Way Cool! Gupta is like really really cool! Cute! Great on TV. Maybe he's even a good doc. Obama is soooooooooo cool! Change! Change! Change! I believe!!!!

Posted by: mftill | January 6, 2009 3:49 PM

Sanjay Gupta? This is a joke, right?
I don't know what Obama is thinking with this one, but it is *not* smart.
I can understand the choice of Panetta for CIA, but a CNN correspondent?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
If Mr. Gupta turns out to do a good job, fine. But for now, I am not convinced.

Posted by: vegasgirl1 | January 6, 2009 3:48 PM

Congratulations on a wise choice for Surgeon General. Finally someone who actually is qualified. Thank God it is not another congressman/woman who has no experience in the area that they are set to lead.

What qualifies Hilary for Secretary of State? How many peace deals did she broker? How many businesses did Bill Richardson start up or trade deals did he negotiate for New Mexico to make him a pick for Secretary of Commerce?

If we had more private citizens and successful business people in cabinet posts, maybe we wouldn't have the deplorable government we have now.

Posted by: Girl1 | January 6, 2009 3:48 PM

Obama is a smart guy. Anyone who watched Gupta on TV knows what a brilliant individual he is. The guy is a neurosurgeon and terrific TV reporter with communication skills that are out of this world. Also think of his bedside manners. He is so polite and true second generation success story.

Posted by: navinxj | January 6, 2009 3:47 PM

As a former professor of medicine, I welcome the appointment of Dr. Gupta. He is clearly qualified- more so than many recent people to hold this office.

I am also amused by the wailing and gnashing of teeth by the nitw= err- Republicans.

Dr. G Hurd

Posted by: garyhurd | January 6, 2009 3:46 PM

Prince Fukri just called to say Al-Arabiya is reporting Ben Bernanke is to step down in favour of Deepak Chopra. For sure this would be a big improvement but I haven't seen the item elsewhere.

Posted by: HassanAliAl-Hadoodi | January 6, 2009 3:45 PM

Posted by: BFranco

This is going to be a lot of fun to watch this young President transform this Country while enjoying an 80% approval rate, I guess the rest 20% are the loser Bushists left.

Funny stuff Frankie, BHO doesn't have close to an 80% approval rate on this topic alone!

Dream On!

Posted by: connman | January 6, 2009 3:45 PM

Dr. Gupta is smart, an actual doctor who really does practice medicine, and is good before the press and camera's. He isn't a political hack nor a hot dog. I think he will turn out to be one of the better choices President Obama has made.

And, let this Independent add that I believe Mr. Penetta is the best possible person to run the CIA. That collection of cowboys and traitors need to be taken down, anyways, and Mr. Panetta is just the person to do it. The really ideal thing, anyways, would be to just do away with the CIA entirely and give their mandate to the FBI, which is a thousand times more competent and has better quality people who are professionals.

Posted by: mibrooks27 | January 6, 2009 3:45 PM

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Skyhorse Publishing will go to press at the end of January, and this handsome
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Posted by: cbirkett | January 6, 2009 3:43 PM

"In other news, William Shatner is slated to be head of NASA, Hugh Laurie is to lead NIH, and John Noble ( Dr. Walter Bishop from Fringe) will head NSF.

Posted by: GerardHarbison | January 6, 2009 3:12 PM "
----------
Your comparisons are ridiculous especially in the light of B-movie actor Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Gupta is a NEUROSURGEON for crying out loud, do you know what it takes to become a neurosurgeon?, I guess not, go back to your TV.

Posted by: JRM2 | January 6, 2009 3:41 PM

..from the greatest hits collection...
President Bush picks Dubai Ports World to run American ports...sounds like some folks in this blog misses those days....

dinsdelap-Believe me, any American who is hard pressed to keep from losing everything we have ever had, consider's someone like me trying to tell an Elitist moron like Barry O'Bomba-Nation to take care of the People of THIS Nation first;

A SAINT!

Right now, the ONLY thing many Americans who are unable to cover expenses turning our lives to hell(While watching the Morons on the Hill throw soooo much good money AWAY) want;

is not a lousy $500 if we were so lucky as to actually have to owe taxes, but $5-10,000 in a LOAN-IMMEDIATELY;

We'll happily PAY BACK!

Posted by: SAINT---The | January 6, 2009 3:33 PM

Why not Katie Couric? Her hubby was a doctor!

Posted by: vgailitis | January 6, 2009 3:31 PM

Hugh Laurie not available?

Posted by: spidey103 | January 6, 2009 3:31 PM

As a Republican I do not have a problem with this pick.

As long as Obama picks, Dr. Jack Kavorkian for his personal physician.

Posted by: dashriprock | January 6, 2009 3:31 PM

Hey, accountability_in_gov, wouldn't Gerberding be better suited to a more substantive role in HHS, or heading NIH, or something like that? I've always had the impression that the Surgeon General is more of a spokesperson (or public scold, though I don't really mean that pejoratively), which is why someone like Gupta makes sense.

Posted by: Janine1 | January 6, 2009 3:27 PM

I think this is another good choice by President elect Obama.

Dr. Gupta's celebrity will serve the cause of public health well.

Also it will take Dr. Gupta off the CNN camera's where he often sounded like an uninformed nitwit on matters of foreign policy and ignored the central cause of climate change the Sun in favor of advancing his pop theories.

Posted by: msmithnv | January 6, 2009 3:26 PM

What about Dr F Fawzi Mafooz? Why is Mr Obama shutting out believers who voted repeatedly for him, moreso, for sure, than any other group?

Posted by: HassanAliAl-Hadoodi | January 6, 2009 3:24 PM

Good grief. We finally get a non-Clinton retread and it's a showbiz pick instead. I did not allow myself to get to swept up with Obama fever, as I once did for Slick Willie, mistakenly, and now my caution is proving justified.

Posted by: troutcor | January 6, 2009 3:23 PM

Now we know what CNN gets for its cradle-to-grave support during the campaign. What does MSNBC get? Keith Olberman for FBI Director?

Posted by: qball43 | January 6, 2009 3:23 PM

I must honestly admit that I love to see the repubes suffering for every move that President Barack Hussein Obama makes. Just like I suffer for every move W made while ruining the Country. This is going to be a lot of fun to watch this young President transform this Country while enjoying an 80% approval rate, I guess the rest 20% are the loser Bushists left.

Posted by: BFranco | January 6, 2009 3:23 PM

I am fascinated that this is not up on cnn.com as yet.

Posted by: sali2 | January 6, 2009 3:18 PM

I don't think Dr. Gupta has a Pakistani parent. Almost 100% sure. Please check your facts on this one,

Posted by: Kabir_Chaturvedi | January 6, 2009 3:17 PM

Pay to play...CNN gets a reward...

What an insult to the expertise of Dr. Julie Gerberding (sp?) of CDC. She is the ONE federal health employee who has the respect of all involved in US Public Health in this country!!!!

Gupta is a neophyte....like Panetta, Obama, etc!!!!

Proven competence matters not to Obama, as he becane President without any himself.

Shame. . . . . .

Posted by: accountability_in_gov | January 6, 2009 3:17 PM

Dr. Gupta is a very qualified and extremely good and compassionate doctor. Great Selection!

Posted by: BFranco | January 6, 2009 3:15 PM

The headline should have been "Obama Wants Physician/Journalist Gupta for Surgeon General"

The actual headline suggests Obama appointed someone with no relevant experience and is the basis for most of the comments. Chronies and partisans over experts was a Bush thing. This headline is really lousy journalism more suitable for the tabloids.

Note that I've voted Republican as much as I've voted Democrat.

Posted by: FreethinkingJeremy | January 6, 2009 3:15 PM

My question to you repubes is: Why are you blogging on a progressive paper? go have fun on the Washington Times!

Posted by: BFranco | January 6, 2009 3:13 PM

In other news, William Shatner is slated to be head of NASA, Hugh Laurie is to lead NIH, and John Noble ( Dr. Walter Bishop from Fringe) will head NSF.

Posted by: GerardHarbison | January 6, 2009 3:12 PM

My optimism is now fading. And fast.

Posted by: NovaMike | January 6, 2009 3:12 PM

Yeah SAINT, you sound like a real saint. (only those selfish, callous ones...)

Oh and shining, you sound like one of those kinds of people who bash doctors and anyone else who has a brain, until you need one, that is...

Posted by: dinsdalep | January 6, 2009 3:11 PM

I couldn't think of anyone who is more qualified and un-biased then he. Good luck!

Posted by: citigreg | January 6, 2009 3:11 PM

Attucks, GROW UP! You belong in a grammar school not on a blog, typical repube....

Posted by: BFranco | January 6, 2009 3:11 PM

I am delighted at the possibility of Dr. Gupta as Surgeon General. Wow, wow, wow! He's a good doctor and knows his stuff.

this shows the avarice of american medicine and medical doctors too. remove capitalism and we may have health equality!

Posted by: rrshininghotmailcom | January 6, 2009 3:06 PM

This is becoming clear very quickly. Appoint media stars, people who know nothing about the job, and other misfits. Its Obama's way of keeping the media hype going. Expect more of this circus.

Posted by: MKadyman | January 6, 2009 2:57 PM | Report abuse

//

LOL...

Two words, buddy.

Harriet Myers.

See you at the Inauguration.

Posted by: Attucks | January 6, 2009 3:05 PM

Gupta comes accross as very narcissistic with little of the savy political acumen needed to successfully do the job of surgeon general. I would much prefer that Obama choose someone who has headed a large city public health department or done extensive probono work... someone who is more grounded on the everyday lives of citizens rather than a multimillion dollar journalist.

Posted by: burkemic99 | January 6, 2009 3:05 PM

Sanjay Gupta graduated from my high school (Go Wildcats!) I wonder if he'll still come back to give Honors Night speeches...

Posted by: angeladoolin | January 6, 2009 3:05 PM

All of you Repubes should just go to hide your ugly failed heads somewhere and admire the winners (the Democrats)ruling.
To the victors go the spoil!
Remember what W said: " the elections have consequences...."

Posted by: BFranco | January 6, 2009 3:04 PM

Seriously, MKadyman? A renowned brain surgeon doesn't know anything about being U.S. SURGEON GENERAL??? Give it a rest, haters.

Posted by: sylkyj | January 6, 2009 3:03 PM

Why do you think Dr. Gupta knows nothing about the job? So we should only appoint ex-Surgeons General to the position? Just because a couple of TV networks hired the eminent neurosurgeon doesn't taint him. He's a brilliant, charismatic, and qualified physician of non=Caucasian ancestry. Sounds familiar, huh?

Bunch of dimwit republicans posting here. Look in the mirror and think about what you are and what you stand for, and who best should be representing your interests in Washington. You'll probably come to realize that you are going to be extremely well-served by the democratic juggernaut put in place over the next 2 weeks. :)

Posted by: dinsdalep | January 6, 2009 3:03 PM

Not a huge fan, but I'll grudgingly admit it makes total sense to appoint a professional cable news bobblehead who knows his way around a camera to a post which basically involves using the bully pulpit to goad people into healthier behaviors.

Posted by: matthewarnold | January 6, 2009 3:03 PM

man

Posted by: wilisone | January 6, 2009 3:03 PM

You know, this pick never would have occurred to me before this morning's "In the Loop" column (which said it wasn't likely), but I think it actually makes a lot of sense. The main role of the surgeon general is to be a public advocate, and that's exactly what he has been doing (pretty well) at CNN. He's got both the medical chops and the presentation skills. And I didn't even know about his earlier policy experience. So I ask those of you who mock the choice, what's wrong with it? And who do you think would have been better for this role, and why?

Posted by: Janine1 | January 6, 2009 3:02 PM

...that's thinking WAY out of the box-brilliant pick for new day in Washington...it's really funny reading comments from the nay-sayers (democruds?) let's try being one America now and we'll let that Palin thing go now too....

I thought it a bit odd at first, but it makes a whole lot of sense given how high profile Obama is going to make healthcare. He needs a surgeon general who can sell the issue, and with his on-air experience and his extensive medical background, he is in a unique situation to fill that role.

Posted by: kreuz_missile | January 6, 2009 3:01 PM

This would be wonderful news. I hope Dr. Gupta comes on board. Since the Surgeon General's role is very largely to advise the public on health matters, among other duties, his media experience is a huge asset. But obviously his medical credentials are excellent as well. THis

Posted by: fairfaxvoter | January 6, 2009 3:01 PM

Dr. Gupta is an excellent choice for surgeon general. I like him...he did a great special on the health of ex presidents on CNN.

Posted by: bobby20 | January 6, 2009 3:00 PM

Wow! Who would have thought? I always thought he was on TV more than anyone else in the country, so maybe we'll get some good health advice anyway. We haven't had a Surgeon General anyone ever heard of in decades. Who was that old guy with the beard? Bring him back!

Posted by: wleldred | January 6, 2009 2:59 PM

This is becoming clear very quickly. Appoint media stars, people who know nothing about the job, and other misfits. Its Obama's way of keeping the media hype going. Expect more of this circus.

Posted by: MKadyman | January 6, 2009 2:57 PM

where did you find a Pakistani parent for Sanjay Gupta? I am pretty sure both parents are of Indian ancestry.

Maybe now he will speak out against the pharma/industrial complex, something he didn't do while at CNN (advertising dollars anyone?)

Posted by: sallymacrae | January 6, 2009 2:54 PM

Why bad, idiots? He IS a freaking brain surgeon... And he's well-known and just about everybody likes him.

Do a little research and think before you post, dope.

Posted by: dinsdalep | January 6, 2009 2:53 PM

hclark1,
you must be joking, how can it be a bad day for the Democrats while we are officially taking charge of Congress today?
Also only 14 days before we kiss bye -bye the worst President ever?
Be serious is a wonderful season for the Democrats, please don't hate us because we have the POWER!!!

Posted by: BFranco | January 6, 2009 2:53 PM

Wow, what a great pick. I've watched this guy in television a lot. Remember when he operated on an Iraqi kid who was badly hurt during the early days of the Gulf War. He's also been on the sideines during other occasions which required him to operate while also a correspondent on a story. Obama sure seems able to bring in some really quality guys.

Posted by: sage96FL | January 6, 2009 2:50 PM

at this point why not make it Dr. Drew from loveline? I'm not a doctor but I play one on TV